hunter
hunter
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "hunter" is /ˈhʌn.tər/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
hun: /hʌn/
/h/ - voiceless glottal fricative
/ʌ/ - near-open central unrounded vowel (as in "cup")
/n/ - alveolar nasal
ter: /tər/
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive
/ər/ - r-colored vowel (schwa + r sound)
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: hunter
Plural Noun: hunters
Verb (base form): hunt
Verb (third-person singular present): hunts
Verb (present participle): hunting
Verb (past tense/past participle): hunted
Adjective (related to hunting): hunting (e.g., hunting dog, hunting season)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A person or animal that actively pursues and captures wild animals for food, sport, or pest control.
Synonyms: trapper, stalker, chaser, pursuer, huntsman (for a person)
Antonyms: prey, quarry, victim (in the context of being hunted); protector, conservationist (in the context of not hunting)
Definition 2: Someone who diligently searches for or seeks out something specific, often with a determined or predatory approach.
Synonyms: seeker, searcher, explorer, collector, prospector, scavenger
Antonyms: avoidance, disregard, neglecter, passer-by
Verb (derived from "hunt")
Definition: To track, pursue, and capture or kill wild animals for food, sport, or other purposes.
Synonyms: chase, pursue, stalk, track, bag, capture, prey
Antonyms: flee, escape, evade, protect, nurture, cultivate
Adjective (derived from "hunting")
Definition: Of or relating to the act or activity of hunting.
Synonyms: tracking, pursuing, predatory
Antonyms: defensive, protective, agricultural
Examples of Use
Books:
"The hunter moved silently through the dense forest, his senses attuned to every rustle and snap of a twig." (From The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell, 1924)
"She was a hunter of forgotten lore, always digging through ancient texts and dusty archives." (From A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, February 2011)
Newspapers:
"Conservation groups are calling for stricter regulations on big game hunters in the region, citing declining wildlife populations." (Associated Press, March 2024)
"A seasoned treasure hunter recently unearthed a trove of Roman coins in a field in rural England." (The Guardian, January 2025)
Online Publications:
"Cybersecurity experts warn that state-sponsored hunters of intellectual property are increasingly targeting critical infrastructure." (TechCrunch, November 2023)
"Job hunters are finding a more competitive landscape in the tech industry this quarter, according to a recent LinkedIn report." (Forbes.com, April 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Blade Runner 2049" features Officer K as a "replicant hunter." (Warner Bros. Pictures, October 2017)
Television Series: "Supernatural" often refers to its main characters as "demon hunters." (The CW, September 2005 - November 2020)
Video Games: In "Monster Hunter: World," players take on the role of a hunter tracking and slaying massive creatures. (Capcom, January 2018)
Music: The song "Hunter" by Dido explores themes of pursuit and longing. (Arista Records, September 2000)
General Public Discourse:
"My dog is a natural hunter; he's always chasing squirrels in the backyard." (Common casual conversation)
"They're a real bargain hunter, always finding the best deals at garage sales." (Describing a person's shopping habits)
"The venture capitalist is a keen hunter of promising startups." (Describing business acumen)
10 Quotes Using Hunter
"The hunter who chases two rabbits catches neither." (Confucius)
"Every hunter must learn to wait." (African Proverb)
"I am a great hunter of peace." (Chief Joseph)
"The hunter who hunts for game, but not for sport, is a butcher." (William Lyon Phelps)
"Only the hunter knows where the tiger lives." (Burmese Proverb)
"Man is the only hunter who hunts for sport." (Henry David Thoreau)
"A true hunter doesn't kill for pleasure, but for sustenance." (Native American Proverb)
"The hunter's moon is the time to gather." (Traditional saying)
"A great hunter does not fear the forest." (Russian Proverb)
"The hunter must be patient, but the prey must always be quicker." (Unknown)
Etymology
The word "hunter" has a long history, going all the way back to Old English!
Basically, it comes from the Old English word "hunta," which directly meant "one who hunts." This "hunta" itself was likely developed from the verb "huntian," meaning "to chase game."
So, its first known use and meaning were exactly what you'd expect: someone who goes after and catches wild animals. It literally described a person whose job or activity was to hunt for food, sport, or to control animal populations. You can find records of "hunter" in place names from as early as the late 12th century, and in written texts from the Middle English period (around 1150-1500), with the Oxford English Dictionary citing evidence from before 1325.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hunter
Bounty hunter: A person who pursues criminals or fugitives for a reward.
Head hunter: A person or agency that recruits executives or highly skilled individuals for jobs.
Job hunter: Someone actively looking for employment.
Treasure hunter: A person who searches for valuable objects, often buried or lost.
Bargain hunter: Someone who constantly looks for products at reduced prices.
Big game hunter: A person who hunts large, often dangerous, wild animals.
Hunter-gatherer: A member of a nomadic people who live by hunting, fishing, and harvesting wild food.
Hunter's moon: The full moon after the Harvest Moon, typically in October.
Hunter's instinct: A natural or keen ability to pursue, find, or acquire something.
To go on the hunt for something: To actively search or seek something out.The hunter becomes the hunted: A situation where the roles of pursuer and pursued are reversed.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hunter from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
