elope

[ ih-lohp ]

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.
3. (of a patient or person in care) to leave or run away from a hospital, care facility, or safe area independently without notifying anyone.
4. to leave without permission or notification; escape:

   At age 21, the apprentice eloped from his master.

elope

/ ɪˈləʊp /

verb

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

Derived Forms

• eˈlopement, noun
• eˈloper, noun

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of elope¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of elope¹

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

Example Sentences

Fast-forward, we borrow that car to drive from San Francisco to Palm Springs, and we eloped!

From Fortune

On Dec. 22, 1799, Sands told her cousins that she would be leaving to elope with a fellow boarder named Levi Weeks that night.

From The Daily Beast

Daughters who elope and dare to choose their own husbands are also considered dishonorable.

From The Daily Beast

She did not, however, believe they would elope, which is a great relief.

From The Daily Beast

I wanted to elope, but Charles really wants to have a party for our friends.

From The Daily Beast

Suffice it to say, a mutual passion was conceived between the two cousins, and my father persuaded her to elope with him.

From Project Gutenberg

I assure you that I wouldn't offer to elope with a suffrage tract, or a skirted treatise on socialism.

From Project Gutenberg

I've never done anything romantic in my life, and I've always wanted to elope, or something.

From Project Gutenberg

A couple of months ago she did me the honour to elope—temporarily, of course—with M. Paul Destournelle.

From Project Gutenberg

I could not elope with the shadow, it slipped away when the horse started, and waited on the road for its lawful owner.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• run off