C1verb5K

Haunt

UK /["/hɔːnt/","/hɔːnts/","/ˈhɔːntɪd/","/ˈhɔːntɪŋ/"]/US /["/hɔːnt/","/hɔːnts/","/ˈhɔːntɪd/","/ˈhɔːntɪŋ/"]/

Definition

if the ghost of a dead person haunts a place, people say that they have seen it there

In simple words: To visit a place often or to be remembered by someone.

Examples

A headless rider haunts the country lanes.
I’ll come back to haunt you!
The memory of that day still haunts me.
For years she was haunted by guilt.
He will be haunted forever by his failed attempt to rescue the children.
These visions continued to haunt her for many years.
That decision **came back to haunt him**.
She has been haunted by her past during her career.

Usage notes

Use 'haunt' when talking about places that are frequently visited or when discussing memories. It's not usually used in a positive sense.

Grammar pattern

haunt + object

Memory hint

Sounds like 'haunt' — imagine a ghost visiting an old house.

Collocations

reputedly
supposedly
come back to
return to
still
forever
continue to

Synonyms

visit
frequent
revisit
linger
pervade

Antonyms

avoid
flee
escape

Common mistakes

Confused with 'hunted' meaning to chase.
Using it incorrectly for people instead of places or memories.
Mixing it up with 'haunted' which refers to ghosts.