runner-up

American  

[ruhn-er-uhp] / ˈrʌn ərˈʌp /

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.

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runner-up British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of runner-up

First recorded in 1835–45

Explanation

In a competition, the runner-up is usually the person who comes in second place. In the Olympics, an athlete who wins a silver medal can be called a runner-up. In beauty pageants, there are often first, second, and third-place winners, followed by a runner-up. At the state fair, if your pig gets a blue ribbon and your sister's gets a red one, it means your pig won, and your sister's pig was the runner-up. The earliest use of this word, in the 1840s, was in dog racing.

Example Sentences

Runner up happy was often cited as a choice by children because they felt happy they could return to normal life again after the pandemic.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2023

Runner up: Sebastian Giovinco shaking hands with his coach and then throwing his gloves after being subbed out during MLS Cup.

From The Guardian • Dec. 14, 2016

Runner up: Josh Hagins of No. 12 Little Rock, who did — well — just about everything en route to 31 points and a come-from-behind win over Purdue in the first round.

From US News • Mar. 21, 2016

Runner up: Josh Hagins of No. 12 Little Rock, who did - well - just about everything en route to 31 points and a come-from-behind win over Purdue in the first round.

From Washington Times • Mar. 21, 2016

Thomas stared, overcome with curiosity—he’d yet to see a Runner up close or talk to one.

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner

Related Words

• double