Hunt

/hʌnt/

verbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To pursue and kill or capture an animal for food or sport.

/hʌnt/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To pursue and kill (an animal) for food or sport.

The wolves hunted in packs to bring down a moose.

💡 Simply: Hunting is like playing a super serious game of tag, but instead of tagging your friend, you're trying to catch an animal! It's a way to get food or sometimes just for fun.

👶 For kids: Hunting means trying to find and catch an animal.

More Examples

2

He enjoys hunting deer in the autumn.

3

The company is hunting for new talent.

How It's Used

Wildlife

"The lion hunts gazelles in the savanna."

Sporting

"They went hunting for deer in the forest."

2

To search actively for someone or something.

/hʌnt/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To search for something or someone actively.

The police are hunting for the escaped convict.

💡 Simply: When you 'hunt' for something, you're trying to find it really hard. Like if you lose your toy, you might hunt all over the house to find it.

👶 For kids: Looking very carefully for something.

More Examples

2

We're hunting for the perfect gift for her.

3

He is hunting for a job after being laid off.

How It's Used

Business

"The company is hunting for investors."

General

"She's been hunting for a new apartment."

Tip:Imagine yourself on a treasure hunt, searching everywhere.
3

The act of searching for or pursuing something, especially the act of pursuing and killing animals for food or sport.

/hʌnt/

nounneutralmedium
General

The act of pursuing and killing animals.

The hunt for the missing child lasted for days.

💡 Simply: A hunt is a special activity where people go out to find and maybe catch animals. It can be fun or serious, depending on the reason for doing it!

👶 For kids: When people try to find and catch animals or things.

More Examples

2

The hunt is a popular activity during the fall.

3

Their hunt for a better life led them across the ocean.

How It's Used

Outdoor Activities

"The hunt was successful, and they caught a wild boar."

Figurative

"The hunt for the truth continued for years."

Tip:Picture the excitement and thrill of the chase.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

the hunt is on

Used to say that a search or pursuit has started.

"The police announced, 'The hunt is on' for the missing suspect."

to go on the hunt for

To actively search for something or someone.

"The detective went on the hunt for the missing evidence."

From Old English *huntian*, from Proto-Germanic *huntōjaną*, related to *hundaz* (dog), reflecting the historical role of dogs in the activity.

Historically, hunting was a crucial activity for survival, providing food and resources. It also held cultural significance in various societies, often associated with rituals and social status.

Memory tip

Think of a hungry animal, hunting for its next meal.

Word Origin

LanguageProto-Germanic
Original meaning

"to pursue, chase"

hunt downhunt forbear hunttreasure huntjob hunthunt for

Common misspellings

honthunte

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written