What does skulked mean?
Skulked is the past tense of skulk, a verb meaning to move, hide, or otherwise behave furtively. It commonly describes a person who tries to avoid being seen, often because of fear, guilt, embarrassment, or a wish to escape attention. The word carries a strongly figurative sense of furtive, evasive movement: a person might skulk through a dim corridor, skulk behind a doorway, or skulk out of a room without being noticed. Although skulk can be used literally in descriptions of animals or shadows, it is especially effective when applied to people whose conduct seems furtive or furtively evasive. The past-tense form skulked naturally appears in narrative writing when recounting an action that has already occurred.
verbTo move furtively or hide furtively, especially out of fear or guilt. The past-tense form describes an action already completed.
- Moved, hid, or proceeded furtively.
"The child skulked behind the curtains while her friends searched the house."
"He skulked along the corridor, waiting for the coast to clear."
"Rather than face the questions, the suspect skulked out of the building."
Skulking carries the image of someone trying to remain unnoticed, whether from fear, guilt, or an unmistakable desire to avoid attention.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does skulked come from?
The word skulk comes from Scandinavian sources, particularly Danish skulke, meaning to sneak or move furtively. It entered English during the early 17th century and developed the broader modern sense of moving or hiding in a furtive way. The related noun skulker denotes someone who skulks, while skulking is the corresponding gerund or present participle.
Related word forms
How skulked is actually used
The word is strongly figurative and usually describes behavior that is furtive, furtively evasive, or furtively furtive. It commonly implies fear, guilt, shame, or deliberate avoidance of attention, though it can describe merely secretive or furtive movement.
Easily confused with skulked
To skulk is to move or hide furtively, whereas to sulk is to express anger or resentment, usually by being silent and withdrawn.
To skulk implies moving furtively or furtively avoiding attention, whereas to stalk generally means to follow someone or move silently and deliberately.