Definition of 'haunt'
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense haunts, present participle haunting, past tense, past participle haunted
1. transitive verb
If something unpleasant haunts you, you keep thinking or worrying about it over a long period of time.
2. transitive verb
3. countable noun
A place that is the haunt of a particular person is one which they often visit because they enjoy going there.
4. transitive verb
A ghost or spirit that haunts a place or a person regularly appears in the place, or is seen by the person and
frightens them.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
You may also like
Word Frequency
haunt in American English
verb transitive
1.
to visit (a place) often or continually; frequent
2.
to seek the company or companionship of; run after
noun
6. Dialectal
a ghost
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
ME haunten < OFr hanter, to frequent < Gmc *haimetan (akin to OE hamettan, to domicile) < *haim, homeWord Frequency
haunt in American English
(hɔnt, hɑːnt, also, for 10 hænt)
transitive verb
1.
to visit habitually or appear to frequently as a spirit or ghost
to haunt a house
to haunt a person
3.
to visit frequently; go to often
He haunted the galleries and bars that the artists went to
4.
to frequent the company of; be often with
He haunted famous men, hoping to gain celebrity for himself
intransitive verb
6.
to reappear continually as a spirit or ghost
7.
to visit habitually or regularly
noun
SYNONYMS 3. frequent. 5. obsess, beset, vex, plague.9. (often haunts)
a place frequently visited
to return to one's old haunts
10. chiefly Midland U.S., Southern U.S. & Northern English
a ghost
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
haunter noun
Word origin
[1200–50; ME haunten ‹ OF hanter to frequent, prob. ‹ ON heimta to lead home, deriv. of heim homewards; see home]Word Frequency
haunt in British English
verb
2. (transitive)
he was haunted by the fear of injury
3.
to visit (a place) frequently
4.
to associate with (someone) frequently
noun
5. (often plural)
a place visited frequently
an old haunt of hers
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
haunter (ˈhaunter) noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French hanter, of Germanic origin; compare Old Norse heimta to bring home, Old English hāmettan to give a home to; see homeExamples of 'haunt' in a sentence
haunt
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins.
We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to the Collins team. Read more…
Trends of
haunt
View usage over:
Source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
In other languages
haunt
British English: haunt
VERB /hɔːnt/
If something unpleasant haunts you, you keep thinking or worrying about it over a long period of time.
The decision to leave her children now haunts her.
- American English: haunt /ˈhɔnt/
- Brazilian Portuguese: assombrar
- Chinese: 萦绕在心头令人不愉快的事
- European Spanish: obsesionar
- French: hanter
- German: verfolgen
- Italian: ossessionare
- Japanese: 付きまとう
- Korean: 뇌리를 떠나지 않다
- European Portuguese: assombrar
- Spanish: obsesionar
- Thai: รบกวนจิตใจ
British English: haunt
NOUN /hɔːnt/
A place that is the haunt of a particular person is one which they often visit because they enjoy going there.
The islands are a favorite summer haunt for yachtsmen.
- American English: haunt /ˈhɔnt/
- Brazilian Portuguese: reduto
- Chinese: 萦绕在心头令人不愉快的事
- European Spanish: refugio
- French: repaire
- German: Lieblingsort
- Italian: luogo frequentato regolarmente
- Japanese: 行きつけの場所
- Korean: 자주 다니는 곳
- European Portuguese: reduto
- Spanish: refugio
- Thai: สถานที่โปรด, สถานที่ซึ่งไปเป็นประจำ
Browse alphabetically
haunt
Related terms of
haunt
Source
Definition of haunt from the Collins English Dictionary
Read about the team of authors behind Collins Dictionaries.
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
MAMMALS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
wolf
deer
gazelle
beaver
MAMMALS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
mole
antelope
hare
giraffe
Your score:
Word of the day
green fingers
considerable talent or ability to grow plants
Latest Word Submissions
Study guides for every stage of your learning journey
Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs.
Read more
Updating our Usage
There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more.
Read more
Area 51, Starship, and Harvest Moon: September’s Words in the News
I’m sure a lot of people would agree that we live in strange times. But do they have to be so strange that Area 51 is making headlines? And what’s this about fish the look like aliens. September’s Words in the News explain all.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
BIRDS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
long-eared owl
stork
barn owl
pelican
BIRDS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
sparrow
stork
penguin
flamingo
BIRDS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
swan
magpie
pigeon
penguin
Your score:
New collocations added to dictionary
Collocations are words that are often used together and are brilliant at providing natural sounding language for your speech and writing.
Read more
Study guides for every stage of your learning journey
Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs.
Read more
Updating our Usage
There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more.
Read more
Area 51, Starship, and Harvest Moon: September’s Words in the News
I’m sure a lot of people would agree that we live in strange times. But do they have to be so strange that Area 51 is making headlines? And what’s this about fish the look like aliens. September’s Words in the News explain all.
Read more
Learning English: Saying goodbye
Learn informal ways to say goodbye in British English - from 'Goodbye' to 'See ya!' with examples and tips for everyday use.
Read more
Scrabble: Spoilt for Choice
Strategize your Scrabble moves based on anagrams on the board, score, vowel placement, and hooks to get the best score you can.
Read more
‘100 Words for Rain’ by Alex Johnson
Discover the allure of weather lore and literary references in "100 Words for Rain" and delve into rain phenomena and cultural anecdotes.
Read more
Learning English: Making a phone call
Ease your nerves with these helpful phrases for English phone calls. From introductions to inquiries, master effective communication.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more