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 Knicks passed that test in Game 1 with a dominant fourth quarter that turned a dogfight into a runaway. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025

When a deal goes bad, Bebo escapes with Lola (Fabiola Brown), a wealthy runaway. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025

Adjective

This raises two critical questions: Is this a double bonanza for bare metal — both for AI workloads and traditional applications struggling under runaway cloud costs? —Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

Randle came back in and took over the contest, tallying six assists over the final six-plus minutes of the quarter to help Minnesota gain a 20-point advantage by frame’s end in a a runaway victory to square up the series. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025

Verb

The documentary also reveals the story of Alison Chambers, who had run away from home. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 14 May 2025

The group then moves up toward Union Avenue when the first male begins running toward the person who had punched him … when an unintended target is struck, and [the teen girl] immediately falls to the ground with a gunshot wound to the head as the other children run away for their lives. —Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025

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