fortune hunter

noun

1. a person who hopes to prosper, especially through marriage to someone of wealth.

fortune-hunter

noun

1. a person who seeks to secure a fortune, esp through marriage

Derived Forms

• ˈfortune-ˌhunting, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• fortune-hunting adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortune hunter¹

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

Oh, I am not the first fortune hunter who has found a skull or serpent where he had hoped to find gold!

From Project Gutenberg

In that case, sir, you must not be surprised to find yourself regarded by the young lady's father as a fortune hunter.

From Project Gutenberg

She was poor; she had nothing then to tempt a fortune hunter, and thank Heaven I can say I was never that.

From Project Gutenberg

He set Forbes down as a fortune-hunter willing to marry a much older woman of moderate means.

From Project Gutenberg

It is so easy to love Lucy, for Lucy's sake, that even a fortune-hunter would be in danger of being caught in his own trap.

From Project Gutenberg