1 B2 informal
To search through belongings, records, or storage until you find a specific item.
"I'll hunt out those old photographs from the attic and bring them to the reunion."
separable
hunt out
B2 informal separable transitive
To search for and retrieve something that is hidden, stored away, or difficult to find.
In plain English
Search carefully until you find something that was put away or is hard to locate.
What does "hunt out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 informal
To actively seek out a person who is difficult to find or contact.
"I had to hunt out the original author of the report to get the full data."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To hunt (search) and bring it out from where it is — quite transparent.
Actually means
Search carefully until you find something that was put away or is hard to locate.
Usage tip
More common in British English. Often used when someone is looking for a specific item stored among other things, or for information that requires effort to find. Suggests thoroughness and persistence.
Words that pair with "hunt out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
documents recipe old photos contact files information
How to conjugate "hunt out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hunt out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hunts out
he/she/it
Past simple
hunted out
yesterday
Past participle
hunted out
have + pp
-ing form
hunting out
continuous
Hear "hunt out" in the wild
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Other ways to say "hunt out"
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