runner-up

noun

run·​ner-up ˈrə-nər-ˌəp 

ˌrə-nər-ˈəp

plural runners-up ˈrə-nərz-ˌəp 

ˌrə-nərz-ˈəp

also runner-ups

: the competitor that does not win first place in a contest

especially : one that finishes in second place

Examples of runner-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Oklahoma State product matched his best previous result in his runner-up finish to Corey Connors at the Valero Texas Open in April 2023. —Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025

Prescott had one of the best years of his career in the first season with that arrangement, finishing as the runner-up in NFL MVP voting, but the Cowboys stumbled late before a shocking home wild-card-round loss to the Packers. —Schuyler Dixon, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025

That includes 2023, in which the offense thrived and Prescott finished as the MVP runner-up. —Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025

The contest runner-up was surprised to watch Chalamet's process as a performer. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

runner-up

noun

run·​ner-up

ˈrən-ə-ˌrəp

plural runners-up

: the competitor in a contest who finishes next to the winner