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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The variant has similar symptoms to other strains, including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion or a runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 28 June 2025 The early signs a dog is being affected by wildfire smoke can mirror some of the symptoms of minor seasonal allergies in dogs, like a runny nose and eyes. Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash. Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025 Symptoms listed by the health agency still include sore throat, cough, fever, chills, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, congestion, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle aches, body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for runny

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of runny was in 1770

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Runny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runny. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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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