runner-up
Americannoun
plural
runners-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.
noun
Etymology
Origin of runner-up
First recorded in 1835–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In 2003, he showed up as a guest judge on the second season of “American Idol,” declaring its runner-up Clay Aiken was “ear delicious.”
From Los Angeles Times
North Korea are likely to field a blend of youth and experience as they make their first Asian Cup appearance since finishing as runners-up in 2010.
From Barron's
Alex Marquez finished last season as runner-up and he could well challenge his brother for the title again in a field packed with talent.
From Barron's
It was the rink's second runners-up medal following a loss to Sweden in China four years ago.
From BBC
The four group runners-up -- Sri Lanka, England, Pakistan and New Zealand -- are all in the other Super Eights group.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
