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

Christie has problems, and they begin with the fact that photos and videos and memes can haunt us.

From The Daily Beast

She had seen public executions before, but this one would haunt her for years to come.

From The Daily Beast

But it was a grueling road to freedom, and one that continues to haunt them.

From The Daily Beast

Doubt and panic and regret haunt the heart of any decent physician who ever has made a decision.

From The Daily Beast

This undeclared war on the Latino immigrant family was bound to haunt Obama.

From The Daily Beast

It was when the face and figure of a great tragedian began to haunt her imagination and stir her senses.

From Project Gutenberg

Because Hartledon once had a flirtation with your daughter, does that give you leave to haunt him as if you were his double?

From Project Gutenberg

As he invariably left a note behind him promising to "be quiet about it," Isabel ceased to haunt his footsteps.

From Project Gutenberg

I really begin to fear that these drinking, if not drunken spirits, do haunt the "spirit-vaults."

From Project Gutenberg

Even the better sort of men who haunt our public-houses are glad to meet and talk with the poachers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gathering place
• hangout
• meeting place
• watering hole