Hunter vs. Chaser: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 6, 2023
Hunter refers to an individual or animal that hunts for food, sport, or as an occupation. Chaser generally refers to someone or something pursuing or following another, often without the implication of catching or killing.
Key Differences
Hunter is a term that usually describes an individual or animal engaging in the act of hunting, often with the intention of catching or killing prey. It is commonly used to refer to people who hunt for sport or sustenance. While "hunter" typically implies a level of skill, it can also simply denote the act of pursuing with the intent to capture or kill.
Chaser, on the other hand, connotes a sense of pursuit or following but doesn't necessarily imply the act of catching or killing. The term is more generalized and can apply to a variety of contexts, including games, social pursuits, and even beverages that follow stronger drinks. Unlike "hunter," "chaser" often lacks the connotation of skill or expertise in the activity.
While both words describe a form of pursuit, the focus and implications are different. A hunter aims to capture or kill, usually after stalking or tracking. A chaser might be pursuing for different reasons—perhaps to observe, tag, or simply follow—and may or may not be skilled in the action.
Grammatically, both "hunter" and "chaser" are nouns. While "hunter" can be modified into forms like "huntress" to specify gender, "chaser" doesn't commonly have such variations. Both can be used metaphorically, but "chaser" sees more frequent use in idiomatic expressions, such as "storm chaser" or "thrill chaser."
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Hunts with intent to capture/kill
Pursues or follows
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Context
Sport, sustenance, occupation
Games, social, beverages
Grammatical Role
Noun
Noun
Variants
Huntress
None
Idiomatic Usage
Less common
More common
Hunter and Chaser Definitions
Hunter
Animal
The lion is a natural hunter.
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Chaser
Hobbyist
He is a storm chaser.
Hunter
Professional
The bounty hunter captured the fugitive.
Chaser
Follower
The dog was a faithful chaser.
Hunter
Collector
He is a hunter of rare stamps.
Chaser
One that chases or pursues another
A chaser of criminals.
Hunter
Seeker
She is a hunter of knowledge.
Chaser
A drink, as of beer or water, taken after hard liquor.
Hunter
One who hunts game.
Chaser
One who decorates metal by engraving or embossing.
Hunter
A dog bred or trained for use in hunting.
Chaser
A steel tool for cutting or finishing screw threads.
Hunter
A horse, typically a strong fast jumper, that has been bred or trained for use in hunting.
Chaser
A person or thing (ship, plane, car, etc.) that chases.
Hunter
One who searches for or seeks something
A treasure hunter.
Chaser
(archaic) A hunter.
Hunter
Hunter green.
Chaser
A horse: (originally) a horse used for hunting; (now) a horse trained for steeplechasing, a steeplechaser.
Hunter
One who hunts game for sport or for food; a huntsman or huntswoman.
Chaser
A drink drunk after another of a different kind.
Beer chaser
Straight, no chaser
Hunter
A dog used in hunting.
Chaser
Someone who follows logs out of the forest in order to signal a yarder engineer to stop them if they become fouled also called a frogger.
Hunter
A horse used in hunting, especially a thoroughbred, bred and trained for hunting.
Chaser
(logging) One who unhooks chokers from the logs at the landing.
Hunter
One who hunts or seeks after anything.
The hunter becomes the hunted.
A fortune hunter
Chaser
A piece of music, etc. played after a performance while the audience leaves.
Hunter
(psychology) A person who bottles up their aggression and eventually releases it explosively.
Chaser
One of a series of adjacent light bulbs that cycle on and off to give the illusion of movement.
Hunter
A kind of spider, the huntsman or hunting spider.
Chaser
A long piece of flexible wire used to draw an electrical cable through a wall cavity.
Hunter
A pocket watch with a spring-hinged circular metal cover that closes over the dial and crystal, protecting them from dust and scratches.
Chaser
Synonym of prison chaser
Hunter
One who hunts wild animals either for sport or for food; a huntsman.
Chaser
(slang) A person who seeks out sexual partners with a particular quality:
Hunter
A dog that scents game, or is trained to the chase; a hunting dog.
Chaser
(slang) A tranny chaser.
Hunter
A horse used in the chase; especially, a thoroughbred, bred and trained for hunting.
Chaser
(slang) A chubby chaser.
Hunter
One who hunts or seeks after anything, as if for game; as, a fortune hunter a place hunter.
No keener hunter after glory breathes.
Chaser
(slang) A person who seeks partners with HIV in order to become infected.
Hunter
A kind of spider. See Hunting spider, under Hunting.
Chaser
In the sport of Quidditch or Muggle quidditch, a player responsible for passing the quaffle and scoring goals with it.
Hunter
A hunting watch, or one of which the crystal is protected by a metallic cover.
Chaser
Any dragonfly of family Libellulidae.
Hunter
Someone who hunts game
Chaser
Someone who chases decorates metal; a person who decorates metal by engraving or embossing.
Hunter
A person who searches for something;
A treasure hunter
Chaser
A tool used for cleaning out screw threads, either as an integral part of a tap or die to remove waste material produced by the cutting tool, or as a separate tool to repair damaged threads.
Hunter
A watch with a hinged metal lid to protect the crystal
Chaser
(nautical) A chase gun.
Bow chaser; stern chaser
Hunter
Sportsman
The hunter aimed his rifle carefully.
Chaser
One who or that which chases; a pursuer; a driver; a hunter.
Chaser
Same as Chase gun, esp. in terms bow chaser and stern chaser. See under Bow, Stern.
Chaser
One who chases or engraves. See 5th Chase, and Enchase.
Chaser
A tool with several points, used for cutting or finishing screw threads, either external or internal, on work revolving in a lathe.
Chaser
A person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture;
Always before he had been able to outwit his pursuers
Chaser
A drink to follow immediately after another drink
Chaser
Pursuer
The police chaser was close behind.
Chaser
Beverage
I'll have a beer as a chaser.
Chaser
Enthusiast
She is a thrill chaser.
FAQs
Can "hunter" be a profession?
Yes, there are professional hunters, such as bounty hunters.
Is "chaser" only related to pursuit?
No, "chaser" can also refer to a beverage consumed after a stronger drink.
Can "chaser" refer to animals?
Yes, an animal that pursues could be called a chaser.
Is "hunter" a universal term?
No, the term may have different connotations in different cultures.
Does "chaser" imply capturing or killing?
Generally, no. "Chaser" implies pursuit but not necessarily capture or kill.
Can "hunter" be metaphorical?
Yes, like a "hunter of knowledge."
Can "hunter" refer to animals?
Yes, animals that hunt for prey are often called hunters.
Is "huntress" the female form of "hunter"?
Yes, "huntress" is often used to specify a female hunter.
Can "hunter" refer to machines?
In some contexts, like "hunter-killer submarines."
Can "hunter" and "chaser" be used interchangeably?
Generally, no. They imply different kinds of pursuit and are not usually interchangeable.
Can "chaser" be an enthusiast?
Yes, as in "storm chaser" or "thrill chaser."
Is "hunter" used in sports?
Yes, hunting is often considered a sport.
Can "chaser" be used in games?
Yes, in games like tag, one person may be referred to as the chaser.
Can "chaser" be an object?
Rarely, but it's mostly used to describe people or animals.
Can "chaser" be used in idioms?
Yes, it's common in idiomatic expressions like "cut to the chaser."
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
