elope

[ ih-lohp ]
See synonyms for elope on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),e·loped, e·lop·ing.
  1. to run off secretly to be married, usually without the consent or knowledge of one's parents or family.

  2. to run away with a lover.

  1. (of a patient or person in care) to leave or run away from a hospital, care facility, or safe area independently without notifying anyone.

  2. to leave without permission or notification; escape: At age 21, the apprentice eloped from his master.

Origin of elope

1
First recorded in 1590–1600; Middle English alopen (unrecorded) “to run away” (whence Anglo-French aloper ); see a-3, lope

Other words from elope

  • e·lope·ment, noun
  • e·lop·er, noun
  • un·e·loped, adjective
  • un·e·lop·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use elope in a sentence

  • When the unsuspecting eloper reached the Trumet church, it would be the aunt, not the niece, who awaited him.

    The Depot Master | Joseph C. Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for elope

elope

/ (ɪˈləʊp) /


verb
  1. (intr) to run away secretly with a lover, esp in order to marry

Origin of elope

1
C16: from Anglo-French aloper, perhaps from Middle Dutch lōpen to run; see lope

Derived forms of elope

  • elopement, noun
  • eloper, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012