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

Officials say there are some changes to the 2026 season, such as the number of turkey management units, which are designated areas open to hunters. —Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

The hunters field dressed the buck and loaded it into a truck. —Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 8 Jan. 2026

Traces of plant toxins were found on quartz Stone Age arrowheads in South Africa, the oldest known example, suggesting paleolithic hunters had more sophisticated techniques than previously thought. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 8 Jan. 2026

The big animals were still swimming as night fell and the hunters returned home. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 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