: 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
Measles symptoms—which begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and watery, red eyes—can develop between seven and 21 days after exposure, but typically start after 11 or 12 days.
—
Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026
Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash that usually starts on the face several days later and spreads.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
People who may have been exposed should watch for symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2026
Kullgren said flu shot side effects can include a low-grade fever, fatigue, and a runny nose for a few days—symptoms that may feel like a mild flu.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runny
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.
Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026
Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash that usually starts on the face several days later and spreads.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
People who may have been exposed should watch for symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2026
Kullgren said flu shot side effects can include a low-grade fever, fatigue, and a runny nose for a few days—symptoms that may feel like a mild flu.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runny
Cite this Entry
“Runny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runny. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
