SKULKER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does skulker mean? 

• SKULKER (noun)
  The noun SKULKER has 2 senses:

1. someone shirking their duty by feigning illness or incapacity

2. someone waiting in concealment

  Familiarity information: SKULKER used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SKULKER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Someone shirking their duty by feigning illness or incapacity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

malingerer; shammer; skulker

Hypernyms ("skulker" is a kind of...):

shirker; slacker (a person who shirks his work or duty (especially one who tries to evade military service in wartime))

Derivation:

skulk (avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Someone waiting in concealment

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

lurcher; lurker; skulker

Hypernyms ("skulker" is a kind of...):

waiter (a person who waits or awaits)

Derivation:

skulk (lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner)

 Context examples 

John himself was no skulker in joy.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)