haunting

American  

[hawn-ting, hahn-] / ˈhɔn tɪŋ, ˈhɑn- /

adjective

1. remaining in the consciousness; not quickly forgotten.

   haunting music; haunting memories.

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noun

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

haunting British  

/ ˈhɔːntɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of memories) poignant or persistent

2. poignantly sentimental; enchantingly or eerily evocative

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Other Word Forms

• hauntingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of haunting

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

Example Sentences

Olsen: There’s a a moment in the film that I find so haunting and I’ve been trying to unravel it for myself.

From Los Angeles Times

Praising the show, our critic noted “For those who are unfamiliar with Ms. Iturbide’s work, this show of almost 200 pictures will be a revelation, opening a door onto her haunting and haunted visions.”

From The Wall Street Journal

But cultists are cultists, and when a local man starts recruiting teens to slay the demons haunting the area, an investigation by the three reveals his much larger, more elder-goddish plans.

From The Wall Street Journal

“That was deeply frustrating and haunting for me because it was like, ‘Raúl isn’t choosing to have a baby, but I am.

From Los Angeles Times

But its shape, though haunting, is also oddly inviting, bringing to mind stone troughs and thirsty animals.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• eerie
• memorable
• nostalgic
• spooky