noun
runabout
Runabout (noun) means a small, light vehicle meant for short trips — historically a small car or horse-drawn carriage. Example: “He kept an old runabout for quick trips into town.”
noun
1
A small, light vehicle meant for short trips — historically a small car or horse-drawn carriage.
"He kept an old runabout for quick trips into town."
"The runabout could barely fit two people and a picnic basket."
2
A small, easily maneuvered boat or, in fiction, a small spacecraft.
"They took the runabout out onto the lake for the afternoon."
How to use runabout
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small vehicle or boat built for short, easy trips rather than long journeys.
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Word forms
- Plural
- runabouts
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He kept an old _____ for quick trips into town.
Etymology
Formed from the verb phrase "run about" — something used for getting around locally.
Synonyms
View more →
roadster
two-seater
Related words
Rhymes for runabout
See all rhymes for runabout →Frequently asked questions
What does “runabout” mean?
The word “runabout” means a small, light vehicle meant for short trips — historically a small car or horse-drawn carriage. In plain terms, a small vehicle or boat built for short, easy trips rather than long journeys.
How do you use “runabout” in a sentence?
Here is “runabout” used in a sentence: “He kept an old runabout for quick trips into town.”
What part of speech is “runabout”?
“Runabout” is a noun.
How many meanings does “runabout” have?
“Runabout” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, light vehicle meant for short trips — historically a small car or horse-drawn carriage.
