runny

adjective

run·​ny ˈrə-nē How to pronounce runny (audio)
: 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

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 Seasonal allergies can cause a runny nose and sneezing—but also itchy eyes and even ears, which are not common cold or flu symptoms. Juno Demelo, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2024 Allergens are substances that cause an immune response ranging from a runny nose to shortness of breath. Daniel More, Health, 24 Oct. 2024 The infection starts with symptoms like a runny nose, a low-grade fever and a tickly cough. Sam Tupper, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024 At the onset of symptoms, people infected with COVID-19 will begin to experience a general feeling of malaise, followed by fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough and headaches, Culler says. Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for runny 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'runny.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of runny was in 1770

Dictionary Entries Near runny

Cite this Entry

“Runny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runny. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

runny

adjective
run·​ny ˈrən-ē How to pronounce runny (audio)
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 How to pronounce runny (audio)
: secreting a thin flow of mucus
a runny nose

More from Merriam-Webster on runny

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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