Stalking Means Two Very Different Things
A stalker follows prey quietly, or follows a person obsessively. The second is a criminal offence in many countries.
To stalk is to approach quietly and persistently. In hunting, a deer stalker moves carefully within range. Applied to people the word describes a pattern of unwanted, repeated attention that causes fear, and it has been a specific criminal offence in England and Wales since 2012 and in many other jurisdictions besides.
- Someone who follows a person obsessively. *He was convicted of stalking.*
- A hunter who approaches quietly. *A deer stalker.*
- To follow persistently. *She was stalked for months.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | stalker | A convicted stalker. |
| Plural | stalkers | Two stalkers. |
| Verb | stalk | Stalk the herd. |
| Noun | stalking | Anti-stalking laws. |
| Compound | deerstalker | A deerstalker hat. |
How it is used in a sentence
- Stalking is a criminal offence.In many jurisdictions, with its own statute.
- The cat stalked across the lawn.Moving stealthily.
- He wore a deerstalker.The hat with two peaks and ear flaps.
What stalking law covers
- Course of conduct — repeated behaviour, not a single act
- Fear or distress — the effect on the victim matters
- Following and monitoring — physical or online
- Contact — repeated unwanted messages or approaches
- Protective orders — courts can restrain contact
From Old English *stealcian*, to walk cautiously. The criminal sense developed in the late twentieth century, and legislation followed in the 1990s and 2000s.
Is stalking a separate offence from harassment?
In several jurisdictions, yes. Stalking laws typically name specific behaviours such as following, monitoring and repeated contact.
Why is a hat called a deerstalker?
Because it was worn for deer stalking. Its association with a famous fictional detective came from illustrations, not from the stories.