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

An adult nonresident combination hunting and fishing license alone is $264, according to Fish and Game’s website, and an elk tag will run an out-of-state hunter an additional $650. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 4 Apr. 2026

That’s why Protect Wyoming is fundraising to educate hunters, anglers, and other outdoor users about why voting matters for public lands, and who to actually vote for. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 3 Apr. 2026

In a flash forward to their adolescence, Yuru is a hunter leading a humble life in a small village, while Asa is being held behind a cage in town for unclear reasons. —Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026

You will be hunted, not the hunter. —Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 1 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