hunter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral
Quick answer
What does “hunter” mean?
A person who hunts animals for sport or food.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who hunts animals for sport or food.
1) A person who searches determinedly for something or someone. 2) A watch with a cover protecting the glass (hunter watch). 3) A horse or dog bred/used for hunting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'hunter' is strongly associated with fox hunting and the associated socio-cultural context. In the US, the term is broader, covering all game hunting (deer, duck, etc.).
Connotations
UK: Can carry class-related connotations (the 'country gentry'). US: More likely to evoke recreational/sporting or subsistence activity.
Frequency
Comparably frequent, but collocational patterns differ (e.g., 'bargain hunter' common in both, 'trophy hunter' more frequent in US media).
Grammar
How to Use “hunter” in a Sentence
hunter of + [noun phrase]hunter for + [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hunter” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He went hunter trials riding last weekend.
- The estate was hunter managed for generations.
American English
- She loves to hunter pace on her horse.
- The land is hunter accessible during the season.
adjective
British English
- He wore a classic hunter green tweed jacket.
- The hunter wellington boots were covered in mud.
American English
- She bought a hunter orange vest for safety.
- The truck had a hunter camouflage pattern.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Head hunter" (recruiter for high-level positions). "Bargain hunter" (a savvy shopper).
Academic
In anthropology (hunter-gatherer societies). In history (paleolithic hunters).
Everyday
Referring to someone who hunts as a hobby. Metaphorically: "She's a bargain hunter."
Technical
In computing/IT: "A process that hunts for bugs/memory leaks." In photography: "A camera's autofocus is a fast hunter."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hunter”
- Using 'hunter' for someone who is merely searching casually. (Incorrect: 'I'm a hunter for my keys.')
- Confusing 'hunter' (person) with 'hunt' (activity).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the core meaning is a person who hunts game, it is often used metaphorically for anyone searching diligently (e.g., bargain hunter, job hunter).
A hunter pursues game legally, within regulated seasons and with a license. A poacher hunts illegally, often out of season, without permission, or for protected species.
Yes, but typically in a descriptive phrase (e.g., 'The lion is an apex hunter') or in compounds (e.g., 'hunter-killer drone'). The simple noun 'hunter' by itself almost always refers to a human.
It is an informal term for an executive recruiter—a professional who finds and approaches highly qualified candidates for senior-level positions.
A person who hunts animals for sport or food.
Hunter is usually neutral in register.
Hunter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʌntə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhʌn(t)ər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “happy hunter”
- “hunter-gatherer”
- “hunter's moon”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HUNGRY person tracking (HUNT-ing) their dinner (-ER). The -ER suffix denotes 'one who does'.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A HUNT / SEEKING IS HUNTING (e.g., job hunter, bargain hunter).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses of 'hunter' is MOST metaphorical?