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

Contrast that with eventual EFL champions Coventry City (48 in 49 in all competitions) and Championship runners-up Ipswich Town (50 in 49). — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Scheffler is trying to break a streak of five runner-up finishes and five other top 4s since his lone victory this year in his first tournament of 2026. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Lake Highland Prep, a state runner-up last season, lost 3-0 against Orangewood on Wednesday and then won Thursday against Bishop Moore — which was a state champ in 2025 — with scores of 24-26, 25-18, 25-18, 26-24. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026

The Cougars will be itching to erase that runner-up finish and crack the CFP. — Maura Carey, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 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