huntsman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, specific to hunting contexts; also biological/scientific for spider sense.
Quick answer
What does “huntsman” mean?
A person who hunts wild animals, especially on horseback with hounds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who hunts wild animals, especially on horseback with hounds.
1. A person skilled in hunting. 2. A person who manages a hunt, especially a master of foxhounds. 3. An official in charge of hounds during a hunt. 4. (Archaic) A huntsman's assistant. 5. (Australia) A type of large, fast-moving spider (family Sparassidae).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, strongly associated with fox hunting and the specific role within it (the Huntsman is the person in charge of hounds). In American English, more general for 'hunter', but less commonly used; 'hunter' is preferred. The spider sense is known internationally but most frequent in Australian contexts.
Connotations
UK: tradition, rural sport, sometimes controversial due to fox hunting debates. US: more neutral/general, archaic or literary overtones.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English due to cultural relevance of fox hunting. Rare in everyday American English.
Grammar
How to Use “huntsman” in a Sentence
the huntsman of [place/hunt]huntsman for [hunt name]huntsman to [person/estate]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in historical/sociological texts about rural traditions; in biology/zoology for spider classification.
Everyday
Rare in general conversation except in specific hunting communities or when discussing Australian wildlife.
Technical
In hunting terminology: the person responsible for directing hounds. In arachnology: common name for spiders of family Sparassidae.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “huntsman”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “huntsman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “huntsman”
- Using 'huntsman' as a general synonym for 'hunter' in all contexts (it's more specific).
- Misspelling as 'huntman'.
- Confusing the role with 'gamekeeper' (who protects game, not hunts it).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While both involve hunting, 'huntsman' typically refers to someone involved in a specific, often traditional and organised form of hunting (like fox hunting), or to a person in charge of hounds. 'Hunter' is the much more general and common term.
Yes. 'Huntsman spider' is the common name for a family of large, fast-running spiders found in warm climates, most notably in Australia. This is a distinct biological meaning.
Historically and morphologically, yes ('-man'), and it traditionally referred to men. However, women who perform the role can be referred to as 'huntsmen' in a gender-neutral professional capacity, though terms like 'huntswoman' are also used.
Use it as part of the compound noun 'huntsman spider'. Example: 'Don't be alarmed by the huntsman on the wall; they eat insects and are generally harmless to humans.'
A person who hunts wild animals, especially on horseback with hounds.
Huntsman is usually formal, specific to hunting contexts; also biological/scientific for spider sense. in register.
Huntsman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʌntsmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhʌntsmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “ride like a huntsman”
- “a huntsman's eye (keen observation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HUNTS + MAN. A man who hunts.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURSUIT/CHASE (the huntsman pursues the fox) → someone diligently seeking something.
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the word 'huntsman' MOST specifically associated with an official role in an organised sport?