huntaway: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical / Regional
Quick answer
What does “huntaway” mean?
A type of dog bred and used in New Zealand for mustering sheep by driving them forward.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of dog bred and used in New Zealand for mustering sheep by driving them forward.
A working dog bred specifically for its ability to bark and chase sheep over long distances, typically larger and more aggressive in its mustering style than a heading dog.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost entirely absent from standard British and American English. It is a lexical item specific to New Zealand and to a lesser extent, Australia.
Connotations
Connotes rural life, farming, and specifically antipodean sheep husbandry practices. Has a strong technical, agricultural association.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency outside of New Zealand agricultural contexts. Unlikely to be encountered by general English learners.
Grammar
How to Use “huntaway” in a Sentence
The [adjective] huntaway [verbed] the sheep.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in texts relating to animal husbandry, veterinary sciences, or New Zealand cultural studies.
Everyday
Only in everyday conversation in rural New Zealand or among dog trial enthusiasts.
Technical
A precise term in sheep farming and dog breeding in New Zealand.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “huntaway”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “huntaway”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “huntaway”
- Confusing it with a border collie or other herding breeds.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to huntaway' is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Huntaways are a distinct breed, typically larger and bred to drive sheep with barking, whereas border collies are often used for precise heading and eyeing of stock.
You can, but most listeners outside of farming circles or those unfamiliar with New Zealand will not understand its specific meaning.
No, it is solely a noun referring to the breed of dog. The action is 'mustering' or 'driving' sheep.
Its main job is to muster (round up) sheep, particularly over long distances and difficult terrain, by chasing and barking behind them.
A type of dog bred and used in New Zealand for mustering sheep by driving them forward.
Huntaway is usually technical / regional in register.
Huntaway: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʌntəweɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhʌntəˌweɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HUNT + AWAY = a dog that HUNTs sheep AWAY from the shepherd to drive them forward.
Practice
Quiz
In which country is the term 'huntaway' primarily used?