runny

adjective

run·​ny ˈrə-nē 

: having a tendency to run: such as

a

: extremely or excessively soft and liquid

a runny dough

b

: secreting a thin flow of mucus

a runny nose

Synonyms of runny

• thin
• soupy
• watery
• thinned
• wet

Examples of runny in a Sentence

The scrambled eggs are runny.

The pudding is runnier than I like it.

a little boy with a runny nose

My eyes felt itchy and runny.

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s been little research on tear gas impacts in recent decades, but Hassan said short-term symptoms can include blurred vision, runny nose, chest tightness, nausea and vomiting. —Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026

Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, rash and red eyes. —Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026

Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that begins on the face and spreads downward across the body, officials said. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

Symptoms start with a high fever, cough and runny nose before progressing to red, watery eyes, white spots inside the mouth and a telltale splotchy rash. —Aria Bendix, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for runny

• bunny
• funny
• gunny
• honey
• money
• sonny
• sunny
• tunny

Kids Definition

runny

adjective

run·​ny ˈrən-ē 

runnier; runniest

1

: too soft and liquid

the scrambled eggs are runny

2

: giving off a liquid

a runny nose

Medical Definition

runny

adjective

run·​ny ˈrən-ē 

: secreting a thin flow of mucus

a runny nose