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

Burger, a fastball hunter, got a 1-0 97 mph fastball at the top of the zone and made hard contact. —Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026

Overpriced or outdated homes stayed on the market longer and attracted bargain hunters, while move-in-ready homes appealed to buyers wanting to settle quickly. —Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026

In fact, McCarthy’s scalp hunters dine with Zuloaga (a real historical figure) and, at one point, ride into Janos. —Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026

Kiel Sopko, who was a detective and evidence technician at the time of Chiodo’s death, was one of the officers who responded to Lowell when a hunter found her body in a stand of trees in a remote area, off a private road marked with a do not trespass sign. —Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 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