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

Coach Didier Deschamps will take charge of Les Bleus for the final time after a remarkable 14-year tenure that included the 2018 World Cup triumph, a runner-up finish four years later and defeat in the Euro 2016 final on home soil. — Mark Hodge, NBC news, 17 July 2026

Leach’s five-year tenure at Chaparral included winning the Inland Division title in 2009 and finishing as a section runner-up in 2006 and 2008. — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 17 July 2026

Herbert qualified for The Open by finishing runner-up at the New Zealand Open, and has played just three other majors in the last three years. — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Also on the panel was Lisbeth Fernández, first runner-up of Miss Universe Cuba 2025, who recently competed for the MissFloridaUSA title representing her Miami neighborhood of Pinecrest. — Sarah Moreno july 17, Miami Herald, 17 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