adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

haunting

Haunting (adj) means sticking in the mind in a way that's hard to shake off, often with an eerie or poignant quality. Example: “The film's final scene is quietly haunting.”

adj

Sticking in the mind in a way that's hard to shake off, often with an eerie or poignant quality.

"The film's final scene is quietly haunting."

"She sang a haunting melody that stayed with the audience for days."

How to use haunting

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes something — a memory, image, or piece of music — that is unforgettable and a little unsettling.

Common pairings

haunting melody haunting image hauntingly beautiful

Word forms

more haunting comparative, hauntings plural, most haunting superlative

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The film's final scene is quietly _____.

Rhymes for haunting

bunting hunting mounting counting taunting grunting daunting flaunting accounting

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Frequently asked questions

What does “haunting” mean?

The word “haunting” means sticking in the mind in a way that's hard to shake off, often with an eerie or poignant quality. In plain terms, describes something — a memory, image, or piece of music — that is unforgettable and a little unsettling.

How do you use “haunting” in a sentence?

Here is “haunting” used in a sentence: “The film's final scene is quietly haunting.”

What part of speech is “haunting”?

“Haunting” is an adjective.

Is “haunting” a common word?

“Haunting” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.