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also-ran

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noun al·so-ran \ -ˌran \

Definition of also-ran

1 :a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race
2 :a contestant that does not win
3 :one that is of little importance especially competitively
  • was just an also-ran in the scramble for … privileges
  • —C. A. Buss

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First Known Use of also-ran

1895

ALSO-RAN Defined for English Language Learners

also-ran

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noun

Definition of also-ran for English Language Learners

  • : a person who has taken part in an election or contest and did not win

Learn More about also-ran

  1. See words that rhyme with also-ran

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