runaway

1 of 3

noun

run·​away ˈrə-nə-ˌwā How to pronounce runaway (audio)
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

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
According to Freedom Center, Rankin's family sheltered over 2,000 runaways in their Liberty Hill home that overlooks the Ohio River. Ayisha Miracle Mendez, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 The incident is true to the real-life story, as the end titles reveal that a teenage runaway escaped by asking him to keep the encounter a secret on Feb. 14, 1979. Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 22 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 See all Example Sentences for runaway 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of runaway was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near runaway

Cite this Entry

“Runaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runaway. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

runaway

1 of 3 noun
run·​away ˈrən-ə-ˌwā How to pronounce runaway (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on runaway

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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