haunting

1 of 3

noun

haunt·​ing ˈhȯn-tiŋ 

ˈhän-

plural hauntings

: an act of haunting

especially : visitation or inhabitation by a ghost

… its early history is replete with drama: duels, murders, shipwrecks, … even ghostly hauntings.

—Sally Gibson

When asked about hauntings on Tuesday's tour, [Albert] Walavich said he knew he would get a question about ghosts on Halloween, but he doesn't believe any haunt the grounds.

—Taylor Hartz

haunting

2 of 3

adjective

: having qualities (such as sadness or beauty) that linger in the memory : not easily forgotten

a haunting melody

haunting images

… pale, branchless tree trunks with a haunting, Georgia O'Keeffe quality …

—Susannah Master

haunting

3 of 3

present participle of haunt entry 1

Synonyms of haunting

Adjective

• eerie
• creepy

Examples of haunting in a Sentence

Adjective

the haunting tones of the Highland bagpipes

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Healing and haunting, Perfume Genius’ wide-ranging oeuvre mines beauty from pain and finds hope in the desolate. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026

Switzerland isn’t the only place where haunting rituals are performed in the winter darkness. —Veronique Greenwood, Time, 21 Dec. 2025

Adjective

And here, with the Broncos’ greatest win in the last decade all but wrapped up, Nix went to the sideline and told Sean Payton the five haunting words that might derail this dream in Denver. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026

Instead of having a child actor re-create these moments, the script is built around the real voice of Hind, making her a haunting, invisible presence throughout the film. —Robert Lang, Deadline, 11 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "frequenting a place, dwelling place," from haunten "to frequent, haunt entry 1" + -ing -ing entry 1

Adjective

from present participle of haunt entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1823, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for haunting

• daunting
• flaunting
• shantung
• taunting
• vaunting
• wanting