runaway

1 of 3

noun

run·​away ˈrə-nə-ˌwā 

1

: one that runs away from danger, duty, or restraint : fugitive

2

: the act of running away out of control

also : something (such as a horse) that is running out of control

3

: a one-sided or overwhelming victory

runaway

2 of 3

adjective

1

a

: running away : fugitive

b

: leaving to gain special advantages (such as lower wages) or avoid disadvantages (such as governmental or union restrictions)

runaway shipping firms

a runaway shop

2

: accomplished by elopement or during flight

3

: won by or having a long lead

a runaway success

also : extremely successful

a runaway bestseller

4

: subject to uncontrolled changes

runaway inflation

5

: being or operating out of control

a runaway oil well

a runaway nuclear reactor

run away

3 of 3

verb

ran away; run away; running away; runs away

intransitive verb

1

a

: to leave quickly in order to avoid or escape something

b

: to leave home

especially : elope

2

: to run out of control : stampede, bolt

3

: to gain a substantial lead : win by a large margin

see also run away with

Synonyms

Adjective

• abandoned
• intemperate
• rampant
• raw
• unbounded
• unbridled
• unchecked
• uncontrolled
• unhampered
• unhindered
• unrestrained

Verb

• abscond
• break out (of)
• clear out
• escape
• flee
• fly
• get out
• lam
• run off

Examples of runaway in a Sentence

Adjective

The play was a runaway success.

a region plagued by runaway suburban sprawl

Verb

ran away from an unhappy marriage

the child runs away from large dogs

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Because Bonnie looked like a breed of cow typically raised for beef production, the sanctuary thought the cow could be a runaway from a local farm with beef cows. —Kelli Bender, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

The child is not a runaway, and a custody dispute is not the reason for the alert. —Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 4 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Avondale police issued an advisory on Sunday afternoon regarding a runaway teenage girl suspected of running away from her home to be picked up by her possible 29-year-old boyfriend. —Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024

Sofia is a runaway success in that regard, balancing prestige drama complexity with theatrical Gotham extremes. —Gavia Baker-Whitelaw, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

And consider the Michigan basketball debut for head coach Dusty May a rousing success; the Wolverines ran away from Cleveland State in a 101-53 win to open their season. —Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024

Fighting her off, the victim tried to run away, but the male, later identified as Streeter, tackled him and began to choke him, according to the affidavit. —Kc Baker, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

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

Kids Definition

runaway

1 of 3 noun

run·​away ˈrən-ə-ˌwā 

1

: a person who runs away : fugitive

2

: the act of running away out of control

also : something (as a horse) that is running out of control

runaway

2 of 3 adjective

1

: running away : fugitive

2

: being out of control

run away

3 of 3 verb

ˌrən-ə-ˈwā

1

: to leave in a hurry especially to escape from danger or confinement

2

: to leave home