: having a tendency to run: such as
a
: extremely or excessively soft and liquid
a runny dough
b
: secreting a thin flow of mucus
a runny nose
Examples of runny in a Sentence
The scrambled eggs are runny.
The pudding is runnier than I like it.
a little boy with a runny nose
My eyes felt itchy and runny.
Recent Examples on the Web
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, common measles symptoms include a high fever that can spike to more than 104 degrees, a cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
—
Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 20 Mar. 2025
Measles symptoms typically start about one to two weeks after a person is exposed to the illness and can include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes and a rash that breaks out three to five days after symptoms start, according to the CDC.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Symptoms may include fever, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes in the early stages of measles, followed by a spreading red rash.
—Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025
Common signs include nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, sneezing, headache, and low-grade fever.4
Influenza: Influenza, or flu, viruses can cause sore throat, leading to body aches.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runny
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Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 20 Mar. 2025
Measles symptoms typically start about one to two weeks after a person is exposed to the illness and can include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes and a rash that breaks out three to five days after symptoms start, according to the CDC.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Symptoms may include fever, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes in the early stages of measles, followed by a spreading red rash.
—Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025
Common signs include nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, sneezing, headache, and low-grade fever.4
Influenza: Influenza, or flu, viruses can cause sore throat, leading to body aches.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runny
Cite this Entry
“Runny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runny. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
runny
adjective
run·ny
ˈrən-ē 
runnier; runniest
1
: too soft and liquid
the scrambled eggs are runny
2
: giving off a liquid
a runny nose
Medical Definition
runny
adjective
run·ny
ˈrən-ē
: secreting a thin flow of mucus
a runny nose
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