runner
RUH-nuh
Runner (noun) means a person who runs, especially as a sport or form of exercise. Example: “My neighbour is a keen runner and takes part in the local park race.”
noun
1
A person who runs, especially as a sport or form of exercise.
"My neighbour is a keen runner and takes part in the local park race."
"She trains as a competitive runner every morning before work."
"The runner crossed the finish line just ahead of the pack."
2
Someone who carries messages, errands, or goods, often informally or illegally (e.g. a drug runner).
"The office hired a runner to take parcels and papers across town."
"Police arrested a runner who was smuggling goods across the border at night."
"The restaurant hired a runner to bring dishes from the kitchen to the tables."
3
A long, narrow strip of fabric or carpet used to decorate a table or cover a hallway floor.
"A lace runner down the middle of the dining table made it look elegant."
"We put a worn runner in the hall to protect the wooden floor."
"They laid a red runner down the length of the staircase."
4
A long horizontal shoot sent out by certain plants (like strawberries) that roots to form new plants.
"Each runner from the mother plant grows a small new plantlet at its tip."
"I cut the runners off the strawberries so the plant would put its energy into fruit."
"The strawberry plant spread across the bed using runners."
How to use runner
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone or something that runs, in senses ranging from athletes to messengers to plant shoots to decorative table cloths.
Common pairings
a marathon runner
a table runner
send a runner
front runner
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Word forms
- Plural
- runners
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My neighbour is a keen _____ and takes part in the local park race.
Etymology
From Middle English rennere, formed from run + -er; cognate with Old Norse rennari ("runner, messenger").
Related words
Rhymes for runner
See all rhymes for runner →Frequently asked questions
What does “runner” mean?
The word “runner” means a person who runs, especially as a sport or form of exercise. In plain terms, someone or something that runs, in senses ranging from athletes to messengers to plant shoots to decorative table cloths.
How do you pronounce “runner”?
“Runner” is pronounced RUH-nuh (/ˈɹʌnɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “runner” in a sentence?
Here is “runner” used in a sentence: “She trains as a competitive runner every morning before work.”
What part of speech is “runner”?
“Runner” is a noun.
Where does the word “runner” come from?
The word “runner” comes from Middle English. From Middle English rennere, formed from run + -er; cognate with Old Norse rennari ("runner, messenger").
Is “runner” a common word?
“Runner” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “runner” have?
“Runner” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who runs, especially as a sport or form of exercise.
What is the difference between a "runner" and a "jogger"?
A "runner" is a person who runs, often at a faster pace or as a sport or serious exercise. A "jogger" runs at a slow, steady pace mainly for fitness, so all joggers run, but "runner" suggests more speed or committed training.
What is the difference between a "runner" and a "sprinter"?
A "runner" is a general term for anyone who runs, over any distance. A "sprinter" specialises in short, very fast races, so every sprinter is a runner, but many runners race over longer distances instead.
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