adj · noun · 15 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
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/ˈɹʌnəweɪ/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:R AH1 N AH0 W EY2
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Having run away; escaped; fugitive; fleeting.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
a runaway thief
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Having run away; escaped; fugitive; fleeting.
Having escaped from the control of the rider or driver.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
a runaway donkey
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Having run away; escaped; fugitive; fleeting.
Pertaining to or accomplished by running away or eloping.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
a runaway marriage
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Easily won, as a contest.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
a runaway victory at the polls
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adj
Meaning 5
Accelerating out of control.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
a runaway train
a runaway greenhouse effect
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adj
Meaning 6
Unchecked; rampant.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
runaway prices
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
adj
Meaning 7
Deserting or revolting against one's group, duties, expected conduct, or the like, especially to establish or join a rival group, change one's life drastically, etc.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal, not-comparable
Examples
The runaway delegates nominated their own candidate.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
A person or animal that runs away or has run away; a person, animal, or organization that escapes captivity or restrictions.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Runaways are vulnerable to criminal exploitation.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
noun
Meaning 9
A vehicle (especially, a train) that is out of control.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
noun
Meaning 10
An object or process that is out of control or out of equilibrium.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: attributive, figuratively, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
noun
Meaning 11
The act of running away, especially of a horse or teams.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
noun
Meaning 12
An overwhelming victory.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
Examples
The home side won in a runaway.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
adjective satellite
Meaning 13
completely out of control
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
runaway inflation
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
14
noun
Meaning 14
an easy victory
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.