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

Others are more like classified ads, with enslavers offering rewards for the return of runaways. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024

The equine escapees galloped through yards and on the busy roadway of Highway E. After several short and unsuccessful foot pursuits, deputies fenced in the runaways until the sheriff's department humane officer took them into custody. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2024

Adjective

Director Parker Finn's first Smile movie was a runaway success at the box office in 2022, grossing $217 million on a modest $17 million budget, and earned positive critical reviews for its story and lead actress Sosie Bacon's performance. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 18 June 2024

Rover first envisioned this experimental off-roader, dubbed Land Rover, as a stopgap, keeping the company afloat until luxury-car production got back up to speed—but almost from the beginning, the Land Rover was a runaway success. —Bob Sorokanich, Robb Report, 18 June 2024

Verb

Two men in black hoodies were seen running away from the scene and a firearm was found inside the car, police sources said. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 June 2024

Pick up small children: Don’t let kids run away from the bear. —Helena Wegner, Idaho Statesman, 20 June 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