Hun

noun

ˈhən

1

: a member of a nomadic central Asian people gaining control of a large part of central and eastern Europe under Attila about a.d. 450

2

a

often hun : a person who is wantonly destructive : vandal

b

disparaging : german

especially : a German soldier

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English Hunas, plural, from Late Latin Hunni, plural

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of Hun was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/Hun. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Hun

noun

ˈhən

: a member of a warlike central Asian people gaining control of a large part of Europe about a.d. 450

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