runner-up

noun

run·​ner-up ˈrə-nər-ˌəp 

ˌrə-nər-ˈəp

plural runners-up ˈrə-nərz-ˌəp 

ˌrə-nərz-ˈəp

also runner-ups

: the competitor that does not win first place in a contest

especially : one that finishes in second place

Examples of runner-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Norway was runner-up in Group I behind France and then Haaland’s heroics carried the team through its first two knockout games. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026

Same goes for Knueppel, the runner-up in the NBA’s rookie of the year vote to good buddy and fellow Duke product Cooper Flagg. — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2026

Ryu had minor back surgery after a runner-up finish at the Kroger Queen City Championship, returning just over a month later to win her first major in the Women's PGA at Hazeltine. — ABC News, 11 July 2026

His father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, had won the event in 2007, and Vladito had finished runner-up in his first participation as a rookie in 2019. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for runner-up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids Definition

runner-up

noun

run·​ner-up

ˈrən-ə-ˌrəp

plural runners-up

: the competitor in a contest who finishes next to the winner