Standard Lemma guide

runaround

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: R AH1 N AH0 R AW2 N D Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
  • CMU ARPABET 2: R AH1 N AH0 R AW2 N Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An evasive explanation in the form of multiple excuses.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I called them to find out what had happened to my parcel, but all I got was a runaround.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A detour or route that bypasses an obstacle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A section of type that is narrower than that of the column it is part of; typically next to an illustration.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: media, printing, publishing

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A whitlow running around the fingernail but not affecting the bone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Deverbal from run around.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: увъртане (uvǎrtane) — evasive explanation
  • German: ausweichende Antwort — evasive explanation
  • German: Ausweichen — evasive explanation
  • Portuguese: enrolação — evasive explanation
  • Russian: отговорки (otgovorki) — evasive explanation
  • Russian: увиливание от ответа (uvilivanije ot otveta) — evasive explanation
  • Russian: волокита (volokita) — evasive explanation
  • Spanish: dar largas — evasive explanation