run-on

1 of 3

adjective

ˈrən-ˈȯn 

-ˈän

: continuing without rhetorical pause from one line of verse into another

run-on

2 of 3

noun

ˈrən-ˌȯn 

-ˌän

1

: something (such as a dictionary entry) that is run on

2

: run-on sentence

run on

3 of 3

verb

ran on; run on; running on; runs on

intransitive verb

1

: to talk or narrate at length

2

: to keep going : continue

transitive verb

1

: to continue (matter in type) without a break or a new paragraph : run in

2

: to place or add (something, such as an entry in a dictionary) at the end of a paragraphed item

Synonyms

Verb

• babble
• blab
• cackle
• chaffer [British]
• chat
• chatter
• chin [slang]
• converse
• gab
• gabble
• gas
• jabber
• jaw
• kibitz
• kibbitz
• natter
• palaver
• patter
• prate
• prattle
• rap
• rattle
• schmooze
• shmooze
• talk
• twitter
• visit

Examples of run-on in a Sentence

Verb

we were just running on about how neither of us has aged a bit after all these years

allow the savings account to run on for now

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The impulse to exaggerate — and vent his frustration in run-on sentences with odd punctuation and random capitalization — is a sure sign Trump is in a swivet. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024

While bowl games often live in the awkward space between season finale and way-too-early preview of what’s to come, UCLA is viewing Saturday’s L.A. Bowl at 4:30 p.m. at SoFi Stadium against Mountain West champion Boise State solely as a full-stop punctuation mark for this run-on season. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2023

This will have some partial run-on effect on how returning talk shows operate, as the strike means actors still won’t be able to promote their shows or movies. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1874, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

run-on

1 of 3 adjective

ˈrən-ˈȯn,

-ˈän

: continuing without pause from one line of verse to another

run-on

2 of 3 noun

ˈrən-ˌȯn,

-ˌän

1

: a dictionary entry that is run on

2

: run-on sentence

run on

3 of 3 verb

ˈrən-ˈȯn,

ˌrən-,

-ˈän

1

: to keep going : continue

2

: to talk or tell at length

3

: to place or add (as an entry in a dictionary) at the end of an entry