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

• huntsman
• nimrod

Examples of hunter in a Sentence

hunters must have a license to shoot deer

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet beyond the plot twist of watching the hunter become the hunted (at least in terms of market capitalization), there’s a profound lesson here about the future of the luxury market in an increasingly challenging environment. —Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Claude is a storied hunter, with four Royal Slams and eight Grand Slams to his name, according to his daughter’s Facebook post. —Sam Gillette, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025

The center supports collaboration between Kazakh eagle hunters, visitors, and conservationists. —AFAR Media, 25 Apr. 2025

In the frozen and dense forests of Finland, hunters in the 20th century brought a fearsome predator close to extinction. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025

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