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

Zander Binda, 238 pounds, Seminole Ridge senior: Placed seventh in traditional (620 total) and 11th in Olympic at Class 3A state final; regional champion in traditional and runner-up in Olympic; district champion in traditional and Olympic. —Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025

The Queens assemblyman is a democratic socialist who has consistently polled as the runner-up candidate to Cuomo, the favorite to win Tuesday’s Democratic mayoral primary. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025

Korda's runner-up finish at the U.S. Women's Open earlier this month also appears to have reignited her confidence. —Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

The winner of that showdown will play the runner-up in Group D, the group currently topped by the United States. —Jon Arnold, New York Times, 19 June 2025

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