runaway

1 of 3

noun

run·​away ˈrə-nə-ˌwā 

1

: one that runs away from danger, duty, or restraint : fugitive

especially : a child who leaves home without permission

2

: the act of running away out of control

also : something (such as a horse) that is running out of control

3

: a one-sided or overwhelming victory

runaway

2 of 3

adjective

1

a

: running away : fugitive

b

: leaving to gain special advantages (such as lower wages) or avoid disadvantages (such as governmental or union restrictions)

runaway shipping firms

a runaway shop

2

: accomplished by elopement or during flight

3

: won by or having a long lead

a runaway success

also : extremely successful

a runaway bestseller

4

: subject to uncontrolled changes

runaway inflation

5

: being or operating out of control

a runaway oil well

a runaway nuclear reactor

run away

3 of 3

verb

ran away; run away; running away; runs away

intransitive verb

1

a

: to leave quickly in order to avoid or escape something

b

: to leave home

specifically : elope

2

: to run out of control : stampede, bolt

3

: to gain a substantial lead : win by a large margin

see also:

run away with

Synonyms of runaway

Adjective

• rampant
• uncontrolled

Verb

• escape
• flee
• run off
• fly
• get out

Examples of runaway in a Sentence

Adjective

The play was a runaway success.

a region plagued by runaway suburban sprawl

Verb

ran away from an unhappy marriage

the child runs away from large dogs

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Logistically accelerating techno-economic interactivity crumbles social order in auto-sophisticating machine runaway. —James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026

The latest mystery involves a teen runaway from a Catholic school — and Franka Potente dressed like a ninja. —Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Lexington’s runaway victory on the girls side was powered by Amelia Whorton winning the mile run and the 1,000-meter run, Jane Conrad winning the two mile, Ainsley Cuthbertson winning the shot put and the 4×800 meter relay claiming first place. —Hannah Hughes, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2026

Britain scored in each of the final three ends for a runaway 7-2 victory over Denmark during round-robin play in the women’s curling tournament today. —Isabel Yip, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026

Verb

Oftebro, who ran away with gold in the normal and large hill individual events, teamed up with Andreas Skoglund to capture a third medal for the country that invented the sport. —ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026

The problem is that his writing about being ready for love is not nearly as candid as his writing about running away from it. —Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for runaway

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

runaway

1 of 3 noun

run·​away ˈrən-ə-ˌwā 

1

: a person who runs away : fugitive

2

: the act of running away out of control

also : something (as a horse) that is running out of control

runaway

2 of 3 adjective

1

: running away : fugitive

2

: being out of control

run away

3 of 3 verb

ˌrən-ə-ˈwā

1

: to leave in a hurry especially to escape from danger or confinement

2

: to leave home