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

The anthem reaches the runner-up rung roughly a month and a half into its time on the ranking. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

After finishing as first runner-up last year, Cerchiara claimed the Miss Florida USA title on July 12 in Orlando. — Sarah Moreno july 29, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

The Heisman Trophy runner-up now faces an uphill battle to make an NFL roster. — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 28 July 2026

The runner-up finish marked Gogel’s best career result on the PGA Champions Tour, surpassing a pair of third-place finishes (2026 Dick’s Open; 2025 Constellation Furyk and Friends). — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 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