runner-up
- the competitor, player, or team finishing in second place, as in a race, contest, or tournament.
- 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.
Origin of runner-up
Related Words for runner-up
double, runner-up, supporting, lower, extra, twin, duplicate, place, inferior, reproduction, following, further, alternative, repeated, secondary, succeeding, proponent, exponent, helper, assistantExamples from the Web for runner-up
Contemporary Examples of runner-up
“I put on a dress and walked down, and ended up getting first runner-up,” she recalls.
The Making of Kiesza: From Navy Sharpshooter to Beauty Queen to Pop DivaMarlow Stern
October 20, 2014
Runner-Up: Pauline Etienne, Eden I could not take my eyes off this immensely talented Belgian actress.
Oscar Season Kicks Off in Toronto: Channing Tatum, Kristen Stewart, and More Court Awards GloryMarlow Stern
September 14, 2014
You could, I suppose, broaden the definition of “runner-up” to include Romney.
Also on stage was runner-up Crystal Lee, a Chinese-American and Miss California 2013.
Bergolio was considered as the runner-up to Ratzinger in 2005.
Historical Examples of runner-up
A purse of $50 was offered for the winner and $30 for the runner-up.
The Dogs of BoytownWalter A. Dyer
I won one once—runner-up in the fifth flight over at San Gabriel.
Fore!Charles Emmett Van Loan
You see they do say I'm runner-up among the amateurs on the green links.
The Outdoor Chums at Cabin PointQuincy Allen
However, as a traitor, I'm not even a runner-up with your father.
The Pride of PalomarPeter B. Kyne
Last week Mrs. Clement Barstow was runner-up in the women's amateur golf tournament played on the Okoochee eighteen-hole course.
GigoloEdna Ferber
runner-up
- a contestant finishing a race or competition in second place