haunt

[ hawnt, hahnt; hant ]

verb (used with object)

1. to visit habitually or appear to frequently as a spirit or ghost:

   to haunt a house; to haunt a person.

2. to recur persistently to the consciousness of; remain with:

   Memories of love haunted him.

3. to visit frequently; go to often:

   He haunted the galleries and bars that the artists went to.

   Synonyms: frequent

4. to frequent the company of; be often with:

   He haunted famous men, hoping to gain celebrity for himself.

5. to disturb or distress; cause to have anxiety; trouble; worry:

   His youthful escapades came back to haunt him.

   Synonyms: plague, vex, beset, obsess

verb (used without object)

1. to reappear continually as a spirit or ghost.
2. to visit habitually or regularly.
3. to remain persistently; loiter; stay; linger.

noun

1. Often haunts. a place frequently visited:

   to return to one's old haunts.

2. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. and North England. a ghost.

haunt

/ hɔːnt /

verb

1. to visit (a person or place) in the form of a ghost
2. tr to intrude upon or recur to (the memory, thoughts, etc)

   he was haunted by the fear of insanity

3. to visit (a place) frequently
4. to associate with (someone) frequently

noun

1. often plural a place visited frequently

   an old haunt of hers

2. a place to which animals habitually resort for food, drink, shelter, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈhaunter, noun

Other Words From

• haunter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of haunt¹

1200–50; Middle English haunten < Old French hanter to frequent, probably < Old Norse heimta to lead home, derivative of heim homewards; home

Word History and Origins

Origin of haunt¹

C13: from Old French hanter, of Germanic origin; compare Old Norse heimta to bring home, Old English hāmettan to give a home to; see home

Example Sentences

He is in somewhat better shape as Odysseus, the haggard, haunted heart of “The Return,” Uberto Pasolini’s take on the final section of Homer’s “The Odyssey.”

From New York Times

Meanwhile, behind the motel, Mehar is planning a year-round haunted house, to be made of 11 shipping containers.

From Los Angeles Times

“I have considered many possibilities, and these questions haunt me: Could someone be deliberately attempting to harm my reputation and sabotage my scientific career?”

From Science Magazine

Arguably, the Monk's terrifying and/or hilarious saga offered a local corollary to the specter that's haunting all of Europe, and nowhere more than Ireland: Trump's impending second term.

From Salon

Perhaps the most haunting scene comes near the end, when, after a man has confessed to multiple killings and drinking human blood, his daughter bids Adi a friendly farewell.

From New York Times

Related Words

• gathering place
• hangout
• meeting place
• watering hole