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

Hugh Jackman plays the titular monster hunter, who is sent to destroy Dracula. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026

Once the rut arrives, deer drop their guard, but mature bucks don’t do so nearly as much as most hunters think. — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026

Carvel can currently be seen in the fifth and final season of Netflix’s global hit Outer Banks, recurring as treasure hunter and villain Anton Finch. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

Pretendian hunters tend to be painted as aggressive or angry, which ultimately serves to undermine their claims. — Tommy Orange, Vulture, 26 Aug. 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