verb
Very common
ran
ran
Ran (verb) means past tense of "run": moved on foot at a pace faster than walking. Example: “The dog ran across the field as soon as I opened the gate.”
verb
1
Past tense of "run": moved on foot at a pace faster than walking.
"The dog ran across the field as soon as I opened the gate."
"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.
"Our neighbour ran a small shop selling secondhand books for many years."
"She ran the whole project herself and finished before the deadline."
"They ran the family bakery for thirty years."
How to use ran
Learner’s notesIn 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
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The dog _____ across the field as soon as I opened the gate.
Etymology
Comes from Hebrew רָן (ran).
Synonyms
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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.
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