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front-runner

front-runner

49 4.1
A person most likely to win a contest or election
  • noun
  • /ˈfrʌntˌrʌnər/
translation icon : favorito
  • There's no doubt that Romney is the front-runner, and he's running a very disciplined campaign.
  • a front-runner to win
  • a Republican front-runner
  • a Democratic front-runner

But we don't really know who's the front runner, to be precise.

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Examples

  • Even at this early date, Senator Paul Saxon... appears to be the front runner for his party's nomination... for President of the United States.

  • For this reason, Boston should be the front runner for his services.

    Blog text (21)
  • This guy might end up being the front runner to take over as CEO.

  • And also remember that Apple was the front runner in creating app stores.

  • Entry number 2, Mr. Judge, seems to be the front-runner for this race.

  • This time we have a Mormon front runner who is winning the Catholic vote.

  • But his concession speech was considered, by many, to be electrifying and has made him the obvious front runner in the 2010 Senate race.

  • Zendaya looks to be the front runner to become the first black actress to win a second time at the Emmys in the drama category.

  • King is widely seen as the front-runner in the race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe.

    Blog text (12)
  • The Duke Blue Devils are considered front-runners to win the NCAA Tournament.

Synonyms

favorite
vsfront-runner
  • US
165 1.9

A person expected to win a competition

is the same expectation idea rather than indicating present race position
front runner
vsfront-runner
16 3.5

A person or team leading a competition

is about being expected to win rather than simply holding the lead
odds-on favorite
vsfront-runner
7 4.4

A person or team thought most likely to win

is about being considered most likely rather than actually leading now

Antonyms

73 3.7

A person or team expected to lose a competition

How Likely

front-runner
49 4.1
contender
152 3.5
dark horse
11 4.8
long shot
  • Informal
14 4.6

Surface Forms

front-runner singular
front-runners plural

Morphology

front-runner = front + runner (transparent) = front + runner

The meaning is a straightforward compound: someone at the front (leading) who runs, extended metaphorically to a likely winner; easily derivable by learners.

Etymology

The word front-runner comes from the simple image of a runner at the front, the person 'in front' in a race who leads and is most likely to win. So a front-runner in any contest is the person or thing expected to win.