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 older guard that celebrated six national titles and two runner-up finishes in what was then called Division I-AA from 1985-2000 was less convinced. —Austin Meek, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026

Teenage sensation Iva Jovic (20th), Ostapenko (24th) and 2025 ATX Open singles and doubles runner-up McCartney Kessler (32nd) are also playing. —Jay Plotkin, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026

Robert was the runner-up for the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 2020 and won a Gold Glove award, while his teammates took home a ton of hardware as well. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026

Central Catholic ended up tying Newton North for a runner-up finish with an individual win in the long jump by Avery Strickler. —Hannah Hughes, Boston Herald, 16 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