runaway

1 of 3

noun

run·​away ˈrə-nə-ˌwā 

1

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

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

especially : 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

Adjective

• abandoned
• intemperate
• rampant
• raw
• unbounded
• unbridled
• unchecked
• uncontrolled
• unhampered
• unhindered
• unrestrained

Verb

• abscond
• break out (of)
• clear out
• escape
• flee
• fly
• get out
• lam
• run off

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

The incident is true to the real-life story, as the end titles reveal that a teenage runaway escaped by asking him to keep the encounter a secret on Feb. 14, 1979. —Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024

Although Max Verstappen of Red Bull once again leads the standings, this season had not been a runaway. —Bruce Martin, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

Adjective

In the final scene, the runaway exhales deeply, a moment that offers an ambiguous ending — alluding both to her survival and the unsettling nature of Rodney’s fate. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024

In the world of technology startups, there's a critical factor that separates the runaway successes from those that merely survive or fail. —Naren Manoharan, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Verb

As Molly, the star runs away from the famed killer who was first introduced 20 years prior. —James Mercadante, EW.com, 28 Oct. 2024

Some ran away and were never seen or heard from again. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024

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

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