runaway

1 of 3

noun

run·​away ˈrə-nə-ˌwā 

1

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

especially : a child who leaves home without permission

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

specifically : 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 of runaway

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

Battery fires are challenging to combat because, when a battery is damaged, a self-sustaining chemical reaction called thermal runaway can occur and easily spread to adjacent batteries. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

With federal agents giving chase, one of the runaways and an ICE vehicle collided on the median between the Liberty Expressway and an exit ramp, reports say. — Lautaro Grinspan, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The seven-month war continues to weigh on energy prices, fueling investor expectations of further rate hikes from the Federal Reserve to help tackle runaway price increases, which have been exacerbated by rising government debt. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

The public must contend head-on with a collapsing currency and runaway inflation, and to ordinary Iranians, describing the present situation as sustainable would sound almost obscene. — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026

Verb

People left their parishes to fight in the wars, or to run away from the wars; many fled because of religious or political change, or disruption to trade or food supply, or simply relocated to take up new opportunities. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Kam Patterson also features in the sketch, which culminates in his, Reiter and Thompson’s characters stealing jerseys from the empty locker room and running away. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026

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
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• 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