front runner

or front-runner, frontrunner

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See synonyms for front runner on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who leads in any competition.

an entrant in a race who breaks to the front immediately and establishes the pace for the field.

an entrant in a race who performs well only when ahead of the field.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of front runner

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use front runner in a sentence

Thomas Sadoski should be the frontrunner to play every smarmy privileged thirty-something from now on.
'The Newsroom' Ended As It Began: Weird, Controversial, and Noble|Kevin Fallon|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rounds is still the frontrunner and has led in every poll so far.
South Dakota's Bizarre Four-Way (Senate Election, That Is)|Ben Jacobs|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A Republican frontrunner for 2016 wants to work with dictators to stop the Islamic State.
Rand Paul Wants to Team Up With Assad and Iran to Stop ISIS|Olivia Nuzzi|September 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The younger Paul is an early frontrunner for the Republican nomination, although he has not yet announced his candidacy.
Ron Paul Dons 9/11 Truther Tin Foil|Olivia Nuzzi|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Paul has secured his status as the early frontrunner for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.
Rand Paul’s Daddy Issues|Olivia Nuzzi|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for front runner

frontrunner

/ (ˈfrʌntˌrʌnə) /

noun

informal the leader or a favoured contestant in a race, election, etc

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