also-ran

noun

al·​so-ran ˈȯl(t)-(ˌ)sō-ˌran 

ˈȯ-

1

: a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race

2

: a contestant that does not win

3

: one that is of little importance especially competitively

was just an also-ran in the scramble for … privileges

—C. A. Buss

Examples of also-ran in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 49ers are coming to grips with being an also-ran. —Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024

But the progress stalled and McLaren began last season at the back of the field, before a car upgrade in the middle of 2023 turned them from also-rans into title contenders. —Dan Cancian, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Firstly, the choicest specimens get snatched up early, leaving only the straggly also-rans. —Felix Salmon, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024

Andrew Luck, the most significant recruit during the Jim Harbaugh era at Stanford, a quarterback who led the Cardinal from also-rans to national prominence, is returning to The Farm as the football team’s general manager. —Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

also-ran

noun

al·​so-ran

-ˌran

1

: a horse or dog that does not finish in the first three places in a race

2

: a contestant that does not win