runny

American  

[ruhn-ee] / ˈrʌn i /

adjective

runnier, runniest

1. tending to run or drip.

   a runny paste.

2. (of the nose) discharging mucus.

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runny British  

/ ˈrʌnɪ /

adjective

1. tending to flow; liquid

2. (of the nose or nasal passages) exuding mucus

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Etymology

Origin of runny

First recorded in 1810–20; run + -y ¹

Explanation

Anything runny is dripping or flowing like liquid. If you have a runny nose, you should probably stuff some tissues into your pocket (or just use your sleeve). Melting ice cream is runny, dripping from your cone down your arm, and an over-easy fried egg is cooked just enough so that the yolk is a little bit runny. A completely raw egg is obviously runny, and so is the nose of a person with a cold. If you're sniffling and sneezing, your nose is probably runny, or dripping with mucus.

Example Sentences

Runny nose, cough, fever: patients show up in clinics every day with these classic symptoms of respiratory infection.

From Scientific American • Aug. 31, 2021

I'm not alone in this passion for the Runny Egg.

From The Verge • Jun. 10, 2016

Runny Rampling shamelessly perspires like some sort of gruesome mutant.”

From The Guardian • Feb. 8, 2016

For poetry, all Appolinaire and “The Runny Babbit” by Shel Silverstein, which really makes my boys and me laugh out loud.

From New York Times • Feb. 9, 2011

“That’s nuts. She can be sick like a normal person, you know. Cough. Runny nose. Sound familiar?”

From "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Related Words

• colorless
• damp
• moist