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

Amid escalating conflict in the Middle East and heightened political sensitivities, it remains to be seen how audiences will receive a film that revisits a tragedy that still haunts many today.

From Los Angeles Times

There were also signs that Dr. Sasse faced another problem that has haunted college leaders everywhere: the school’s U.S.

From New York Times

At Friday’s sentencing, Bernstein’s mother said she was haunted by the thought that her son was made “to die looking at an Atomwaffen mask.”

From Los Angeles Times

That trauma still haunts her - but her unexpected global fame has given her a new lease on life.

From BBC

The track is alive with phantom creaks and a chilling atmosphere; it sounds like it was recorded in the attic of a haunted house.

From New York Times

Related Words

• gathering place
• hangout
• meeting place
• watering hole