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

Some bargain hunters poked around, while a handful of old-timers walked the halls for exercise. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

Sam has teamed up with a pair of sibling vampire hunters known as the Frog Brothers (Miguel Gil and Jennifer Duka), and together these outcasts band together to take on the bad guys. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

Streep starred as a Danish baroness who falls in love with a big-game hunter, played by Redford, while running a coffee plantation in colonial Kenya in the epic romantic drama. —Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026

However, the typical American house hunter faces a purchase-price-to-rental ratio of only 16 years. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 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