runaway

1 of 3

noun

run·​away ˈrə-nə-ˌwā 

1

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

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

especially : 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

Adjective

• abandoned
• intemperate
• rampant
• raw
• unbounded
• unbridled
• unchecked
• uncontrolled
• unhampered
• unhindered
• unrestrained

Verb

• abscond
• break out (of)
• clear out
• escape
• flee
• fly
• get out
• lam
• run off

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

Thermal runaway causes a chain reaction that dramatically raises the battery's temperature, quickly escalating the fire to uncontrollable levels. —Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

The investigation of the defendant began in October 2021 when a detective contacted an Orange County investigator about a 17-year-old runaway, Deputy District Attorney Taylor Krone said in his opening statement of the trial. —City News Service, Orange County Register, 8 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Re-ignition Risk: Even after being extinguished, lithium-ion batteries can reignite due to residual heat and thermal runaway effects that can impact surrounding cells. —Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

The runaway success of Fotos is hardly shocking coming from an artist of Bunny’s size and caliber, but the arc of its first couple weeks is still unusual enough to make people take notice. —Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2025

Verb

The roar of violent explosions, the sky turning red, screams, the buildings shaking, the people running away from the various premises. —Barbie Latza Nadeau and George Ramsay, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025

And Howard’s near-perfect night let the Buckeyes run away from Notre Dame in the title game. —Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

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

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