hunting ground: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-lowPredominantly neutral to formal in literal sense; neutral to informal in figurative use.
Quick answer
What does “hunting ground” mean?
An area where animals are hunted.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An area where animals are hunted; a place where one seeks or finds something desired, such as opportunities or resources.
Figuratively, any place where one seeks out and finds a plentiful supply of what they are looking for, whether it be customers, talent, bargains, or ideas.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use it identically. The literal sense is slightly more common in American English due to larger active hunting culture.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. The figurative use is equally understood.
Frequency
The figurative meaning is significantly more frequent than the literal one in contemporary usage in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “hunting ground” in a Sentence
[Place] is a hunting ground for [seeker][Seeker] found [place] a rich hunting groundto turn [place] into a hunting groundto be one's hunting groundVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hunting ground” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was hunting ground game on the moor.
American English
- They were hunting ground birds in the field.
adjective
British English
- The hunting-ground regulations are quite strict.
American English
- The hunting-ground permit must be displayed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The emerging markets are a prime hunting ground for new investors."
Academic
"The archives proved a fertile hunting ground for the researcher's thesis."
Everyday
"That vintage market is my favourite hunting ground for unique furniture."
Technical
"The software's memory became a hunting ground for bugs." (Figurative, computing)
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hunting ground”
- Using 'hunter ground' (incorrect compound). Confusing with 'playground' (implies fun, not seeking). Overusing the literal meaning in modern contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is usually neutral. It describes a place of abundance for the seeker. Context determines if the activity is positive (finding talent) or negative (seeking victims).
Not directly. It refers to a place, area, or domain. You wouldn't say "He is a hunting ground," but you could say "His social media profile is a hunting ground for data analysts."
A 'playground' is for recreation and fun. A 'hunting ground' implies actively searching and acquiring something specific (resources, opportunities, prey).
Yes, but often ironically or in historical context. Originally referring to an afterlife paradise for hunters (from Native American belief), it now humorously means a place with many easy opportunities.
An area where animals are hunted.
Hunting ground is usually predominantly neutral to formal in literal sense; neutral to informal in figurative use. in register.
Hunting ground: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʌntɪŋ ɡraʊnd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhʌntɪŋ ɡraʊnd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “happy hunting ground(s) (originally from Native American beliefs, now often ironic for a place of abundant opportunity)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a literal 'ground' where you 'hunt' for things you want. The word combines the activity (hunting) with the location (ground).
Conceptual Metaphor
SEEKING IS HUNTING / A SOURCE IS A PLACE
Practice
Quiz
What does 'hunting ground' most commonly mean in modern business English?