runner-up

[ruhn-er-uhp]

noun

plural

runners-up 

1. the competitor, player, or team finishing in second place, as in a race, contest, or tournament.

2. runners-up, the competitors who do not win a contest but who place ahead of the majority of the contestants and share in prizes or honors, as those who place second, third, and fourth, or in the top ten.

runner-up

noun

1. a contestant finishing a race or competition in second place

Word History and Origins

Origin of runner-up¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

The 20-year-old broke the deadlock after 21 minutes and struck again eight minutes later to condemn the former Confederation Cup runners-up to a second loss within eight days.

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Evans had arrived in Jeddah leading the standings by three points, but his hopes of finally ascending to the WRC throne after finishing runner-up four times were scuppered by a costly puncture on Friday.

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Sundowns, runners-up last season, scored twice in the second half to collect maximum Group C points with Chilean Marcelo Allende the other scorer.

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The former Wimbledon runner-up converted his third break point for a 5-3 lead before confidently serving out the opener to love.

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The former Wimbledon runner-up, ranked 56th in the world, served his way to the opening set following an early break and then broke immediately in set two after Collignon double-faulted twice.

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Related Words

• double