elope

American  

[ih-lohp] / ɪˈloʊp /

verb (used without object)

eloped, eloping

1. 1. to run off secretly to be married, usually without the consent or knowledge of one's parents or family.

   2. to get married in a small ceremony with few or no guests and often without a reception.

      After the stress of planning my first wedding, I decided that this time I'd just elope.

2. to run away with a lover.

3. 1. to leave without permission or notification; escape.

      At age 21, the apprentice eloped from his master.

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

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elope British  

/ ɪˈləʊp /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• elopement noun
• eloper noun
• uneloped adjective
• uneloping adjective

Etymology

Origin of elope

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

Example Sentences

In one trajectory, Helen makes the virtuous decision to avoid eloping with the impatient Jed; she is rewarded for her sacrifice with two decades of spinsterhood—in this universe, a tragic outcome.

From The Wall Street Journal

He is engaged to his longtime girlfriend with plans to elope.

From The Wall Street Journal

William eventually left Suffolk and wrote to the Marten family to say he had eloped with Maria to the Isle of Wight.

From BBC

When Abraham read the script, he really got upset because up until that time, he thought that it was Chris’ idea to elope and that Chris had corrupted his beautiful daughter.

From Los Angeles Times

Then he got an offer from a Christian label in Nashville; he moved again and immediately met a woman with whom he ended up eloping.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• run off