noun A2 Elementary Common

hunter

HUHN-tuh

Hunter (noun) means a person who tracks and kills wild animals for food or sport. Example: “The hunter tracked the deer through fresh snow.”

noun

A person who tracks and kills wild animals for food or sport.

"The hunter tracked the deer through fresh snow."

"Local hunters follow strict seasonal limits on deer."

Someone actively searching for a particular thing, such as a job, bargain, or opportunity.

"As a bargain hunter, she never pays full price."

"Job hunters flooded the careers fair looking for leads."

A horse or dog bred and trained specifically for hunting.

"He rode a tall bay hunter across the fields."

How to Use Hunter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who chases or seeks something out, whether that's an animal, a job, or a good deal.

Common pairings

a skilled hunter bargain hunter job hunter hunter and prey

Word Forms

hunters plural, Hunters plural

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Fill the Gap

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The _____ tracked the deer through fresh snow.

Etymology

From Middle English huntere, built from hunt plus the agent suffix -er — literally "one who hunts."

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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huntsman trapper stalker tracker pursuer seeker

Related Words

seek stalker seeker chaser huntsman trapper prowler searcher

Rhymes for hunter

bunter punter Gunter counter encounter headhunter

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “hunter” mean?

The word “hunter” means a person who tracks and kills wild animals for food or sport. In plain terms, someone who chases or seeks something out, whether that's an animal, a job, or a good deal.

How do you pronounce “hunter”?

“Hunter” is pronounced HUHN-tuh (/ˈhʌntɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “hunter” in a sentence?

Here is “hunter” used in a sentence: “The hunter tracked the deer through fresh snow.”

What part of speech is “hunter”?

“Hunter” is a noun.

Where does the word “hunter” come from?

The word “hunter” comes from Middle English. From Middle English huntere, built from hunt plus the agent suffix -er — literally "one who hunts.".

Is “hunter” a common word?

“Hunter” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “hunter” have?

“Hunter” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who tracks and kills wild animals for food or sport.

What is the difference between a hunter and a poacher?

A hunter tracks and kills wild animals legally, for food or sport, usually within licensed seasons and areas. A poacher hunts illegally — taking animals without permission, out of season, or from protected land.

Can hunter refer to someone who isn't hunting animals?

Yes. A hunter can be anyone actively searching for a particular thing, which is why English has compounds like job hunter, bargain hunter, and house hunter. The animal sense is the original one, but the searching sense is very common.

What is the difference between hunter and huntsman?

Hunter is the general word for a person who hunts wild animals. Huntsman is older and more specific: in British usage it often refers to the person who manages the hounds during a hunt.

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