hunter

noun

hunt·​er ˈhən-tər 

1

a

: a person who hunts game

b

: a dog used or trained for hunting

c

: a horse used or adapted for use in hunting with hounds

especially : a fast strong horse trained for cross-country work and jumping

2

: one that searches for something

3

: a pocket watch with a hinged protective cover

Synonyms of hunter

• archer
• huntsman
• falconer

Examples of hunter in a Sentence

hunters must have a license to shoot deer

Recent Examples on the Web

Docents at the interpretive center can explain to visitors that Kumeyaay people were known to be natural resource managers as well as hunters and gatherers. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026

Netflix may be eyeing two of them with its surprise hit of 2025, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans’s musical comedy on K-pop stars who moonlight as demon hunters. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026

In many cases, investors are competing with house hunters seeking their own homes. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026

Latour said Thompson and his family were avid hunters. —Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hunter

• anti-hunter
• bounty hunter
• fortune hunter
• head hunter
• hunter-gatherer
• hunter green
• white hunter

Rhymes for hunter

• bunter
• punter

Kids Definition

hunter

noun

hunt·​er ˈhənt-ər 

1

: a person who hunts

especially : one who hunts game

2

: a dog or horse used or trained for hunting

Geographical Definition

Hunter

geographical name

Hun·​ter ˈhən-tər 

river 287 miles (462 kilometers) long in eastern New South Wales, southeastern Australia, flowing east into the Pacific

Biographical Definition

Hunter

biographical name

Hun·​ter ˈhən-tər 

John 1728–1793 British anatomist and surgeon