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

“This had haunted me for 70 years. The poor lady who phoned me, I felt sorry for her.”

From BBC

“The word stops, the heart dies / The wind counts the lost goodbyes,” goes one characteristically haunting stanza.

From Los Angeles Times

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

McLendon-Covey spoke to the Los Angeles Times about what she was looking for in a new part, haunted hospitals, and her love of playing a character with a pathetic personal life.

From Los Angeles Times

"I would say to them, whoever it is, 'Call me, and we will have a serious conversation about it'," he said with the haunted look of a man who has seen some things.

From BBC

Related Words

• gathering place
• hangout
• meeting place
• watering hole