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

Moore just posted a series of behind-the-scenes photos from her new movie, “The Substance,” that may haunt the dreams of anyone following her Instagram account.

From Los Angeles Times

Grab dinner at nearby old-school haunt Chez Jay or head a little farther afield for a knee-wobbling mai tai at the Galley.

From Los Angeles Times

That second word is tricky since, to stars whose missteps come back to haunt them, consequence is coded language for "cancellation."

From Salon

That connection was tested in September 2021 when comments she had posted on social media a decade before came back to haunt her.

From BBC

Former President Donald Trump had a hard time finding a spot for his Halloween rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico rally, as unpaid bills came back to haunt his campaign.

From Salon

Related Words

• gathering place
• hangout
• meeting place
• watering hole