haunt
0 antonyms and opposites of haunt, grouped by meaning.
Verb — Of a ghost or spirit, to appear regularly in a particular place.
How to use haunt
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French hanter, "to frequent or visit regularly" — the ghost sense grew out of the idea of returning again and again to the same place.
Full origin of haunt →Frequently asked questions
What does “haunt” mean?
The word “haunt” means of a ghost or spirit, to appear regularly in a particular place. In plain terms, either a ghost repeatedly appearing somewhere, or a bad memory that keeps coming back to trouble you.
How do you pronounce “haunt”?
“Haunt” is pronounced hawnt (/hɔnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “haunt” in a sentence?
Here is “haunt” used in a sentence: “Locals say the old manor is haunted by a grey lady.”
What is another word for “haunt”?
Words with a similar meaning to “haunt” include dwell.
What part of speech is “haunt”?
Depending on how it is used, “haunt” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “haunt” come from?
The word “haunt” comes from Old French. From Old French hanter, "to frequent or visit regularly" — the ghost sense grew out of the idea of returning again and again to the same place.
Is “haunt” a common word?
“Haunt” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “haunt” have?
“Haunt” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: of a ghost or spirit, to appear regularly in a particular place.
What is the difference between haunt and possess?
To haunt is for a ghost or troubling memory to appear or recur repeatedly in a place or mind, while to possess means to take over a body or object entirely. A haunted house has ghostly presences that come and go, whereas a possessed person is controlled from within.
Can haunt be used for feelings and memories, not just ghosts?
Yes, haunt is commonly used figuratively to describe a memory, regret, or image that troubles someone's mind persistently, as in 'the image haunted her for years.' This non-supernatural use is just as common as the literal ghost sense.
What does it mean to call a place your haunt?
As a noun, a haunt is a place someone visits often, like a favourite café or bar described as an 'old haunt.' This sense has nothing to do with ghosts and simply refers to a regular hangout.