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

An hour before the new poll was released, one of the also-rans, former Controller Betty Yee, tearfully suspended her campaign — understandable, given her 1% standing. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026

Eric Swalwell’s exit from the race has presented an opportunity for the also-ran candidates to surge into contention. —Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026

John Poulakidas scored 28 points to lead the Mavericks in a meeting of also-rans that more closely resembled a summer league game. —CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026

John Poulakidas scored 28 points to lead the Mavericks in a meeting of also-rans that more closely resembled a summer league game. —ABC News, 12 Apr. 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