What does hunt mean?
“Hunt” means to search for or pursue something with persistence, especially an animal, person, or object that is wanted or difficult to find. It is also used figuratively for investigating a problem, looking for evidence, or avoiding an unpleasant responsibility or confrontation. The verb is especially common in combinations such as “hunt for,” “hunt down,” and “hunt out.” As a noun, a “hunt” can refer to the pursuit of prey, a search organized around a particular objective, or a person or group that pursues a target. The word carries a sense of determination and often urgency. Its uses range from literal animal hunting to idiomatic expressions about treasure, ideas, suspects, and opportunities, making it a versatile word for describing purposeful search and pursuit.
To search for, pursue, or try to catch a person, animal, or object.
"The rescue team continued to hunt for the missing hikers."
Often implies persistence and may be used figuratively for searching for evidence, opportunities, or answers.
The act of searching for or pursuing a person, animal, or object; also, a search organized around a particular objective.
"The treasure hunt led the explorers deep into the mountains."
A hunt can be literal or figurative, as in a “witch hunt” or an intense “hunt for a job.”
Countable when referring to a particular search, pursuit, or event; the plural is “hunts.”
"The detectives conducted several hunts for the missing evidence."
From hunting prey to tracking down mysteries, “hunt” captures the idea of searching with determination.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hunt come from?
The English word comes from Old English “huntian,” meaning to seek or pursue, especially game. Its deeper origins are Germanic, though the exact development of the word and its relationship to related forms in other ancient languages is not entirely straightforward. The modern senses developed by extension from the literal pursuit of animals to figurative searching, tracking, and evading.
Related word forms
How hunt is actually used
The word is common in both formal and informal contexts. “Hunt for” and “hunt down” emphasize searching, while “hunt” can also suggest pursuit, evasion, or, in phrases such as “witch hunt,” a systematic campaign against a person or group.
Easily confused with hunt
A hunt is an active search or pursuit, whereas a hunch is a strong but unverified intuition or guess.