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 right-handed Hernández never appeared in the postseason as a career Seattle Mariner, but won a Cy Young and was runner-up twice. —Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026

In our 2022 Readers Choice Best Chicken wings, Moosehead Grill fought through a field of 16 competitors and tens of thousands of votes to be named the runner-up for the best wings in Charlotte. —Charlottefive Staff, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2026

District title teams and runners-up gather Thursday for FHSAA state duals region meets. —Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026

The influencer was paired with Val Chmerkovskiy and was the runner-up in December 2025. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 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