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verb British English pronunciation: run /rʌn/ 
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun
he/she/itruns
present participlerunning
past tenseran
past participlerun
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive] to move quickly to a place using your legs and feet

    You’ll have to run if you want to catch the bus.

    run across/into/down etc:

    A cat ran across the road in front of me.

    run to:

    I ran to the door and opened it.

    run for cover/shelter:

    We ran for shelter as soon as the rain started.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: run, runner, running, dash, bound... more
    1. a.
      [intransitive/transitive] to run in a race

      He’s running the 100m.

      run in:

      I’d love to run in the London Marathon.

      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: run, runner, running, dash, bound... more
    2. b.
      [transitive] [usually passive] to have a race in a particular place or at a particular time

      The race will be run at 3 pm.

      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: more
    3. c.
      [transitive] to run a particular distance

      How quickly can you run a mile?

      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: run, runner, running, dash, bound... more
  2. 2
    [transitive] to control and organize something such as a business, organization, or event

    Sue’s been running a mail-order business for ten years.

    run a campaign:

    He was the man who ran Clinton’s election campaign.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: control, govern, watch over, command, supervise... more
    1. a.
      to organize and provide something such as a service or course

      The shelter is run entirely by volunteers.

      The bus company runs a regular airport shuttle service.

      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: plan, arrange, organize, draw up, map out... more
  3. 3
    [intransitive/transitive] if a machine or engine runs, or if you run it, it is working

    Don’t leave the car engine running.

    I ran the dishwasher even though it wasn’t full.

    run on petrol/electricity etc:

    Does your car run on petrol or diesel?

    run off the mains (=use the electricity supply):

    My laptop can run off the mains or a battery.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: operate, come on, function, work, go on... more
    1. a.
      [intransitive/transitive] computing to start or to use a computer program

      Try running the program again and see if it works.

      run on:

      The software will run on any PC.

      run under:

      a spreadsheet package that runs under Windows or Unix

      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: log on, log off, power up, boot, exit... more
    2. b.
      [transitive] to own and use a motor vehicle

      expenses involved in running a car

      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: more
  4. 4
    [intransitive] if a liquid runs somewhere, it flows there
    run down/from etc:

    Tears were running down his face.

    Blood ran from a wound in her leg.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: more
    1. a.
      [intransitive] if a river runs somewhere, it flows there
      run into/to/from etc:

      The Rhine runs into the North Sea.

      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: more
    2. b.
      [intransitive/transitive] if a tap runs, or if you run it, water comes out of it
      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: more
    3. c.
      [intransitive] if something is running with a liquid, the liquid is flowing down it
      run with:

      His back was running with sweat.

      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: more
    4. d.
      [transitive] to fill a bath or other container with water from a tap

      I ran a sink full of cold water.

      run (someone) a bath:

      Dad offered to run me a bath.

      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: inflate, pump up, blow up, flood, swamp... more
  6. 6
    [intransitive] if a bus, train etc runs, it travels somewhere at regular times

    The train only runs at weekends.

    run on time (=arrive and leave at the right time):

    Do the buses run on time?

    be running 10 minutes/two hours etc late:

    The train was running twenty minutes late.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: more
    1. a.
      [transitive] informal to take someone somewhere in your car
      run someone to/into:

      John kindly offered to run me into town.

      run someone there/home/back etc:

      I’ll run you there, it’s no trouble.

      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: come, drive, walk, deliver, conduct... more
    2. b.
      [intransitive] if a vehicle runs somewhere, it moves there because the driver is not controlling it properly
      run into/down/through etc:

      The truck ran down the hill and into a shop window.

      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: head, go, progress, carry on, flow... more
  7. 7
    [intransitive] [usually progressive] to reach a particular amount or rate

    Ticket prices were running anywhere from £50 to £200.

    run at:

    Inflation is running at 3%.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: reach, come, come to, push, touch... more
  8. 8
    [transitive] to move or rub something along something else
    run something through/across/down something:

    Fred ran his fingers gently through her hair.

    In a fit of jealousy, he ran a key down the side of Greg’s car.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: rub, rub, knead, scratch, buff... more
  9. 9
    [intransitive] if something such as a road or wall runs somewhere, it exists in that place
    run along/around/through etc:

    There was a path running through the middle of the forest.

    run parallel to something:

    A mountain range runs parallel to the western border.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: occupy, set, exist, lie, sit... more
  10. 10
    [transitive] to put something such as a wire or thread somewhere
    run something under/behind/through etc something:

    You could run the cable behind the desk.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: put, place, position, set, lay... more
  11. 11
    [intransitive] if a feeling runs through you, you experience it

    A chill ran through me (=I suddenly felt frightened).

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: come over, return, sweep over, wear off, cool... more
    1. a.
      to have a particular thought

      Our thoughts seem to run along the same lines (=we think the same).

      run to:

      His thoughts ran to the first time he had met Matilda.

      something runs through your mind/head (=you have a particular thought or idea):

      The thought that she might be lying ran through my mind.

      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: occur to, flash, dawn, think, strike... more
  13. 13
    [intransitive] to try to be elected to an official job or position

    How many candidates are running?

    run for:

    Jackson announced his intention to run for president.

    run against:

    There will be three candidates running against her.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: campaign, canvass, stand, get in, hold... more
  15. 15
    [transitive] to bring someone or something illegally into a country

    We know of several groups who are running guns into the country.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: more
  16. 16
    [intransitive] to grow in a particular direction
    run up/over:

    Ivy runs up the walls of the house.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: more
  18. 18
    [intransitive] if a story, argument etc runs in a particular way, this is what happens or what someone says

    The text ran something like this: ‘Don’t mess with our business!’

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: play out, go, go off, pan out, pass off... more

phrases

phrasal verbs

run across

[transitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun across
he/she/itruns across
present participlerunning across
past tenseran across
past participlerun across
run across someone/something to find something or to meet someone by chance

I ran across the letter while I was tidying the drawers.

Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: come across, come on, find, locate, trace... more

run after

[transitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun after
he/she/itruns after
present participlerunning after
past tenseran after
past participlerun after
  1. 1
    run after someone/something to chase someone or something

    Velluci ran after the car waving his fists.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: chase, pursue, hunt down, come after, hunt out... more
  2. 2
    run after someone informal to try to make someone notice you because you are sexually attracted to them

    She should spend more time studying and less time running after boys.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: ask out, flirt, chat up, pair off, chase... more

run along

[intransitive] old-fashioned
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun along
he/she/itruns along
present participlerunning along
past tenseran along
past participlerun along

run around

or run round

[intransitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun around
he/she/itruns around
present participlerunning around
past tenseran around
past participlerun around

run around after

or run round after

[transitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun around after
he/she/itruns around after
present participlerunning around after
past tenseran around after
past participlerun around after

run around with

[transitive] informal
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun around with
he/she/itruns around with
present participlerunning around with
past tenseran around with
past participlerun around with

run away

[intransitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun away
he/she/itruns away
present participlerunning away
past tenseran away
past participlerun away

run away with

[transitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun away with
he/she/itruns away with
present participlerunning away with
past tenseran away with
past participlerun away with
  4. 4
    run away with something informal to win a competition, game, or prize very easily

    Brazil were running away with the game in the first half.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: win, clinch, triumph, romp ahead, place... more
  5. 5
    run away with the idea/impression that to believe that something is true when it is not

    I wouldn’t want him to run away with the impression that I don’t care.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: think, believe in, suppose, suspect, assume... more

run by

[transitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun by
he/she/itruns by
present participlerunning by
past tenseran by
past participlerun by

run down

Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun down
he/she/itruns down
present participlerunning down
past tenseran down
past participlerun down
 
  2. 2
    [transitive] to criticize someone, especially in an unfair way

    You’re always running me down!

    run yourself down:

    You’re a brilliant mother. Why do you run yourself down?

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: criticize, blame, put down, reproach, reprimand... more
  3. 3
    [intransitive/transitive] if something such as a machine or clock runs down, or if you run it down, it gradually stops working because it has no power

    Switch your headlights off, or you’ll run the battery down.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: break down, go off, shut off, stop, break... more
  4. 4
    [intransitive/transitive] British if a business or organization runs down, or if someone runs it down, it gradually becomes smaller

    They’ve been running the factory down for the last five years.

    The decision was taken to let the steel industry run down.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: more
  5. 5
    [transitive] run down something to quickly read everything on a list

    I’ll just run down the list and see if we’ve forgotten anything.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: glance, skim, flick through, look at, browse... more
  6. 6
    run someone down to find someone after searching for them for a long time

    Police eventually ran him down in woods north of the city.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: come across, come on, find, locate, trace... more
See also  rundown
 

run in

[transitive] informal old-fashioned
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun in
he/she/itruns in
present participlerunning in
past tenseran in
past participlerun in

run into

[transitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun into
he/she/itruns into
present participlerunning into
past tenseran into
past participlerun into
  2. 2
    run into someone/something to hit someone or something by accident while you are driving

    A truck ran into me (=hit my car) at the lights this morning.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: hit, crash, collide, smash into, ram... more
  3. 3
    run into (the) millions/hundreds/thousands etc to reach a particular amount

    Flood damages could run into millions.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: reach, come, come to, push, touch... more
  4. 4
    run into trouble/difficulty/problems etc to start to have trouble/difficulty/problems etc

    Our project ran into difficulties when we lost a sponsor.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: suffer, undergo, come under, endure, incur... more

run off

Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun off
he/she/itruns off
present participlerunning off
past tenseran off
past participlerun off
  2. 2
    [transitive] to quickly print a copy of something

    Would you mind running off some more copies of the agenda?

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: copy, reproduce, duplicate, photocopy, counterfeit... more
  3. 3
    [intransitive/transitive] if a liquid runs off, or if you run it off, it flows away from or out of something

    This channel allows rainwater to run off.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: more

run off with

[transitive] informal
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun off with
he/she/itruns off with
present participlerunning off with
past tenseran off with
past participlerun off with
  2. 2
    run off with something to steal something or to take it without permission

    A man in the street approached her and ran off with her bag.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: steal, walk off with, rob, burgle, snatch... more

run on

[intransitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun on
he/she/itruns on
present participlerunning on
past tenseran on
past participlerun on

run out

Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun out
he/she/itruns out
present participlerunning out
past tenseran out
past participlerun out
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive] to use all of something and not have any left
    run out of:

    Many hospitals are running out of money.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: use up, eat into, get down to, eat up, finish... more
  2. 2
    [intransitive] if something runs out, you do not have any more of it left

    They returned home from South Africa when their money ran out.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: come to an end, pass, dry up, expire, give out... more

run out on

[transitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun out on
he/she/itruns out on
present participlerunning out on
past tenseran out on
past participlerun out on
run out on someone to suddenly leave your wife, husband, or partner

Jane’s husband ran out on her when their children were still young.

Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: defriend, break off, break up, leave, split up... more

run over

Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun over
he/she/itruns over
present participlerunning over
past tenseran over
past participlerun over
 
  1. 1
    [transitive] to hit someone or something with a vehicle and drive over them
    be/get run over:

    Keeley was run over by a car outside her house.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: hit, crash, collide, smash into, ram... more
  2. 2
    [transitive] run over something to practise what you are going to say in a speech, performance etc

    She kept running over her lines.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: more
  3. 3
    [transitive] run over something to explain something again so that someone understands

    Would you run over the sequence of events again?

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: explain, define, put across, interpret, clarify... more

run through

[transitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun through
he/she/itruns through
present participlerunning through
past tenseran through
past participlerun through
 
  1. 1
    run through something to explain or to read something quickly

    I’ll just run through the names and make sure everyone’s here.

    Do you want me to run through the details with you?

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: explain, define, put across, interpret, clarify... more
  3. 3
    run through someone/something if a feeling runs through a group of people, they all feel it

    Fear ran through the crowd as a shot was heard.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: come over, return, sweep over, wear off, cool... more
  4. 4
    run through something if a quality or idea runs through something, you can find it in many parts of that thing

    The theme of jealousy runs through a lot of her work.

    There was a lot of bitterness running through their conversation.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: seem, tend, possess, wear, have... more
  5. 5
    run through something to spend or use a lot of money in a short period of time

    The project ran through £50 million in the first year.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: disburse, spend, pay, pay out, finance... more

run to

[transitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun to
he/she/itruns to
present participlerunning to
past tenseran to
past participlerun to
  2. 2
    run to something to reach a particular amount, especially a large amount

    The cost of repairs ran to £2 million.

    The interview transcripts run to over 120 pages.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: add up, come to, amount to, total, work out... more
  3. 3
    [usually in negatives] run to something British to have enough money to buy a particular thing

    I don’t think we can run to a new television at the moment.

    Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: afford, eke out, subsist, get by, scrape by... more

run up

[transitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun up
he/she/itruns up
present participlerunning up
past tenseran up
past participlerun up

run up against

[transitive]
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyrun up against
he/she/itruns up against
present participlerunning up against
past tenseran up against
past participlerun up against
run up against someone/something if you run up against problems, difficulties etc, you have to deal with them

England ran up against a formidable opponent last Saturday.

We ran up against a few problems finding enough money.

Synonyms or related words for this meaning of Synonyms or related words for this meaning of run: suffer, undergo, come under, endure, incur... more

This is the British English definition of run. View American English definition of run

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