elope

verb

\ i-ˈlōp

eloped; eloping

Definition of elope

1a : to run away secretly with the intention of getting married usually without parental consent … Waterman was a peevish child who grew into a defiant teenager, eloped at 18 largely to shock his father, and then—far too young—was a father himself.— Elizabeth Gilbert

b : to run away from one's husband with a lover " … when they had been married nearly seven years, and were within a few weeks of the time when the brother's death would have adjusted all, she eloped with a younger man, and left him."— Charles Dickens

2 : to slip away : escape … might have mistaken him for … some scarecrow eloped from a cornfield.— Washington Irving

Other Words from elope More Example Sentences Learn More about elope

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Examples of elope in a Sentence

The couple eloped in the middle of the night.

Recent Examples on the Web

Last month, Ripa shared amazing throwback photos of her 1996 wedding to Consuelos -- when the two eloped in Las Vegas -- to celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary. — Fox News, "Kelly Ripa slams troll who questioned her work ethic after she shared vacation photos," 2 Oct. 2018 John Steinbeck, the prolific Pultizer Prize-winning author, lived in this cute California cottage during the 1940s after eloping with his wife, Carol Henning. — Rori Kotch, Country Living, "You'll Never Guess Which Classic American Author's Cottage is for Rent," 10 July 2015 Last month, Ripa shared amazing throwback photos of her 1996 wedding to Consuelos -- when the two eloped in Las Vegas -- to celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary. — Fox News, "Kelly Ripa slams troll who questioned her work ethic after she shared vacation photos," 2 Oct. 2018 On the docket: the Peloponnese, where Hercules fought the Nemean Lion; Paris of Troy eloped with Helen; and the Argonauts set sail in search of the Golden Fleece. — Laura Dannen Redman, Condé Nast Traveler, "18 Summers: The Ultimate Guide to Not Wasting a Single Vacation With Your Kids," 20 July 2018 Last month, Ripa shared amazing throwback photos of her 1996 wedding to Consuelos -- when the two eloped in Las Vegas -- to celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary. — Fox News, "Kelly Ripa slams troll who questioned her work ethic after she shared vacation photos," 2 Oct. 2018 Paltrow eloped with ex-husband Chris Martin in 2003. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Everything To Know About Gwyneth Paltrow's Wedding Dress," 29 Sep. 2018 Her mother had hoped for someone more glamorous than a sailor, so Roberta Wright and Jack eloped. — P.j. O'rourke, Town & Country, "Roberta McCain, the Woman Who Shaped Senator John McCain," 29 Aug. 2018 When my father questioned this, my sister exploded and eloped without my parents there. — Philip Galanes, New York Times, "I’m Still Salty About My Sister’s Elopement," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elope.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.