haunting

[hawn-ting, hahn-]

adjective

1. remaining in the consciousness; not quickly forgotten.

   haunting music; haunting memories.

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that haunts; visitation.

haunting

/ ˈhɔːntɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of memories) poignant or persistent

2. poignantly sentimental; enchantingly or eerily evocative

Other Word Forms

• hauntingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of haunting¹

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; haunt, -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

In almost every conversation in Gaza, one haunting question now echoes without a clear answer: "When will the war end?"

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Everywhere Jay and his entourage go, a piece of cheesecake follows, the last, haunting vestige of a star’s rider that should’ve been updated long ago.

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By contrast, “Shadow Ticket” offers a wildly seductive overture, a companionable but occasionally slack midsection, and a haunting sucker punch of an ending.

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In her latest short story collection, Argentine writer Mariana Enríquez offers haunting imagery and a sharp focus on mental, physical and economic ruin.

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The series ended on a haunting note, leaving viewers with the uncertainty of an unsolved crime.

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Related Words

• eerie 
• memorable 
• nostalgic 
• spooky