English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
verb Very common

ran

ran

Ran (verb) means past tense of "run": moved on foot at a pace faster than walking. Example: “She ran five miles before breakfast.”

verb
1
Past tense of "run": moved on foot at a pace faster than walking.
"She ran five miles before breakfast."
"He ran to catch the last train home."
2
Past tense of "run" in the sense of operating or managing something.
"They ran the family bakery for thirty years."

How to Use Ran

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe simple past tense of "run," used for both moving quickly and operating something.

Common pairings
ran a business ran a marathon ran late
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “ran” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ five miles before breakfast.

Related Words

Rhymes for ran

See all rhymes for ran →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “ran” mean?

The word “ran” means past tense of "run": moved on foot at a pace faster than walking. In plain terms, the simple past tense of "run," used for both moving quickly and operating something.

How do you pronounce “ran”?

“Ran” is pronounced ran (/ɹæn/ in IPA).

How do you use “ran” in a sentence?

Here is “ran” used in a sentence: “She ran five miles before breakfast.”

What part of speech is “ran”?

“Ran” is a verb.

Is “ran” a common word?

“Ran” is a very common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “ran” have?

“Ran” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: past tense of "run": moved on foot at a pace faster than walking.

What is the difference between 'ran' and 'run'?

"Ran" is the simple past tense: "She ran yesterday." "Run" is the base form and also the past participle used with have: "She has run every day." Use "ran" for a completed past action on its own, and "run" after has, have, or had.

Is it 'had ran' or 'had run'?

The correct form is "had run." After has, have, or had, English uses the past participle "run," not "ran." So you write "I have run" and "they had run," while "I ran" stands alone without any helping verb before it.

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial