also-ran

noun

al·​so-ran ˈȯl(t)-(ˌ)sō-ˌran 

ˈȯ-

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

… taking the club from an also-ran to a dominant force.

—Pan Pylas

Examples of also-ran in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Comedies are often the also-rans; everyone wants to be taken seriously, and comedies—even the greatest of them, by the likes of Hawks, Preston Sturges, or Billy Wilder—are frequently treated as a frivolity. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Feb. 2026

The thinktank session was held at the rambling 40-acre Mettawa estate of another presidential also-ran, Adlai Stevenson II. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026

The past master of the universe is an economic colossus but, strategically, its civilization is an also-ran. —Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026

Six years before Maye was drafted, Darnold was selected third overall, too, by an AFC East also-ran. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

also-ran

noun

al·​so-ran

-ˌran

1

: a horse or dog that does not finish in the first three places in a race

2

: a contestant that does not win