runaway

1 of 3

noun

run·​away ˈrə-nə-ˌwā 

1

: one that runs away from danger, duty, or restraint : fugitive

2

: the act of running away out of control

also : something (such as a horse) that is running out of control

3

: a one-sided or overwhelming victory

runaway

2 of 3

adjective

1

a

: running away : fugitive

b

: leaving to gain special advantages (such as lower wages) or avoid disadvantages (such as governmental or union restrictions)

runaway shipping firms

a runaway shop

2

: accomplished by elopement or during flight

3

: won by or having a long lead

a runaway success

also : extremely successful

a runaway bestseller

4

: subject to uncontrolled changes

runaway inflation

5

: being or operating out of control

a runaway oil well

a runaway nuclear reactor

run away

3 of 3

verb

ran away; run away; running away; runs away

intransitive verb

1

a

: to leave quickly in order to avoid or escape something

b

: to leave home

especially : elope

2

: to run out of control : stampede, bolt

3

: to gain a substantial lead : win by a large margin

see also run away with

Synonyms

Adjective

• rampant
• uncontrolled

Verb

• escape
• flee
• run off
• fly
• get out

Examples of runaway in a Sentence

Adjective

The play was a runaway success.

a region plagued by runaway suburban sprawl

Verb

ran away from an unhappy marriage

the child runs away from large dogs

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On the fringes of the Oregon wilderness, two strangers with troubled pasts are brought together when a reclusive Woodsman discovers a teenage runaway, Dani, hypothermic and barely conscious in the woods. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2025

These thermal runaways are difficult to fight. —Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025

Adjective

The latest example of the runaway hype that can come from such pitches is research published today by SquareX, a startup selling services for securing browsers and other client-side applications. —Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025

Aiming to turn the tide in Hollywood, the Gavin Newsom fueled move followed devastating wildfires last year that capped decades of runaway production. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025

Verb

As the boys ran away down the street, the man raised the pistol again and fired at them, striking Guzman in the back. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

Don’t let kids run away from the bear. —Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for runaway

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

runaway

1 of 3 noun

run·​away ˈrən-ə-ˌwā 

1

: a person who runs away : fugitive

2

: the act of running away out of control

also : something (as a horse) that is running out of control

runaway

2 of 3 adjective

1

: running away : fugitive

2

: being out of control

run away

3 of 3 verb

ˌrən-ə-ˈwā

1

: to leave in a hurry especially to escape from danger or confinement

2

: to leave home