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

Cota, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, won Reserve Best in Show, Westminster's runner-up award. —Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026

Great Britain’s Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat were runners-up to Constantini and Mosaner at last year’s worlds. —Matt Slater, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026

Another beauty pageant, Miss Arizona USA, has not seen a winner from the 48th state but multiple runner-ups for the top honor. —Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026

Two others from the Rangers’ Class 5A Division I state runner-up baseball team in 2025 — outfielders Hayden Parker (Hesston College) and Wyatt East (Mid-America Christian) also signed. —David Hinojosa, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 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