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to run

to run

1.0
To move a boat fast in the same direction as the wind
  • verb
  • /rʌn/
translation icon : correr
  • You can run, Emma, but you can't hide!
  • run away
  • run fast
  • run a mile

The day that it's born, it can run, can jump, can feed.

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Examples

  • When the lights go out, run away with me.

  • Now think of what it's like to run with this in your hand.

  • Let's go ahead and run, see if this works.

  • Anyway, her mom told her to run and hide, and so she did.

  • Rachael's father lifted her up and ran with her in his arms to their car.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Rachael's brother heard her screams and ran through the water to help her.

    Academic text (2011)
  • He decided to run every morning to stay fit and active.

  • During the race, she trained hard so she could run faster than her competitors.

  • When he heard the loud noise, he quickly started to run away from the crowd.

Synonyms

to escape
vsto run
1.0

To get away from a place where you are kept or are in danger

is quick motion that may not carry the idea of getting away
to run away
vsto run
550 1.6

To leave secretly and quickly to get away from danger or control

is broader and includes open fast movement, not only secretive leaving
to flee
vsto run
331 2.4

To run away from a place because it is dangerous

is broader fast movement that may not involve danger avoidance
to run off
vsto run
  • Informal
260 3.7

To leave a place or person suddenly, often without saying goodbye

is simple quick motion without secrecy or taking someone with you
to race
vsto run
91 1.0

To move or work very quickly to reach a goal

is a general quick action not always driven by urgent goals
to run out
vsto run
78 2.0

Leave a place suddenly, often to avoid someone or something

is general fast movement without the implied act of avoidance
to bolt
vsto run
69 2.3

To run away suddenly to escape danger

is general quick motion that may be planned or nonurgent
to make a run for it
vsto run
  • Informal
36 5.3

To try to escape quickly, often by running

is ordinary quick movement that need not be a risky escape
to jog
vsto run
29 1.0

To run at a steady slow speed for exercise

is faster or more urgent movement not limited to steady pace
to run for one's life
vsto run
  • Informal
25 3.9

Get away very quickly to avoid being hurt

is quick motion that can be less extreme than fleeing for life
to go for a run
vsto run
19 1.0

To run for exercise often as a regular activity to get fit and feel relaxed

is the general quick motion used also for urgent reasons
to hightail it
vsto run
  • Informal
16 8.4

To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

is not always about escaping danger, just quick movement
to fly the coop
vsto run
  • Informal
12 7.9

To leave a place suddenly without permission

is general quick action not tied to leaving an obligation or place
to take flight
vsto run
11 3.5

Leave quickly to escape danger, often by flying

is general fast movement not limited to escaping or flying off
to run about
vsto run
7 1.4

To move around quickly and energetically without a clear purpose

is focused on straightforward fast travel rather than busy activity
to turn tail
vsto run
7 7.0

To run away quickly because you are afraid

is not always motivated by fear or loss, just quick movement
to run for the hills
vsto run
  • Informal
7 5.6

To leave a place quickly to escape danger or trouble

is quick movement also used for exercise or competitive speed
to break away
vsto run
5 3.6

To escape suddenly from control, capture, or a group

is general fast movement not specifically about separating or escaping
to head for the hills
vsto run
  • Informal
4 7.8

To run away quickly to escape danger

is general quick motion, not always aimed at escaping danger
3 2.4

To go quickly around a town to do errands

is not limited to local errands and can mean escape or race
2 3.4

Run quickly toward a place or thing to reach it first

does not focus on reaching a particular target quickly
to beat feet
vsto run
  • Slang
2 9.0

To leave quickly to escape or avoid something

is wider than hurrying away, including steady fast movement too
to hotfoot
vsto run
  • Informal
1 7.7

To move quickly on foot

is general quick motion that may be calmer or planned
to leg it
vsto run
  • UK
1 9.0

Move quickly on foot to escape or reach a place fast

is the standard quick movement without informal tone or slang
to scat
vsto run
  • Archaic
1 9.1

Leave quickly, often because you are scared

is neutral quick motion not only an informal command to leave
to scarper
vsto run
  • UK
1 9.7

To run away quickly to avoid trouble

is open quick movement not necessarily secret or to avoid trouble
to run a mile
vsto run
  • Informal
1 7.1

Move away quickly to avoid something you are afraid of

is the straightforward quick movement not focused on avoidance
to run amain
vsto run
  • Archaic
9.9

To move very fast on foot to get somewhere quickly

is general quick movement not always at top speed
to run like a demon
vsto run
  • Informal
3.9

To move very fast with great energy

is quick movement that may be less extreme in speed or force
1.0

Move faster than a walk for exercise

is broader, also used for escape or racing rather than only exercise
to take to the woods
vsto run
  • Informal
8.6

Run quickly into the woods to escape danger

is general quick movement not specifically about hiding in remote areas
to lam
vsto run
  • Slang
9.9

To run away quickly to avoid being caught by the police

is general fast movement not always about avoiding arrest or capture
to do the dash
vsto run
  • UK
9.3

To run away quickly to avoid being caught

is broader quick movement that can be for exercise or speed

Antonyms

Stay upright in one place without moving

Idioms

Something many members of the same family have

25 3.9

Get away very quickly to avoid being hurt

For a short time without thinking about long-term effects

17 3.4

To have a big success people do not expect

14 6.7

A serious challenge that makes success difficult

to run on fumes
  • Informal
8 7.5

To keep working with very little energy or money left

7 5.4

Manage a group or organization strictly to keep it working well

7 5.6

To leave a place quickly to escape danger or trouble

6 4.6

To be much better than someone at doing something

Over a long time into the future

3 8.4

Talk too much and say things you should not

3 8.1

Feel sudden, strong fear or shock

To face many difficult questions or strong criticism

To do something that might lead to harm or loss

1 8.1

To feel very excited about something and then lose interest often

to run the table
  • Informal
1 7.3

Win every game or match in a series without losing any

1 7.3

To move quickly and attack often in sports or games

to run a mile
  • Informal
1 7.1

Move away quickly to avoid something you are afraid of

A score by a team while the other team controls the game

Start with basic skills before trying harder tasks

Act in a confused or uncontrolled way because of strong emotion

To support two opposite sides at the same time to please both

to run amain
  • Archaic
9.9

To move very fast on foot to get somewhere quickly

Move quickly from place to place trying to solve many urgent problems

To make someone very busy and tired with too much work

3.9

To move very fast with great energy

A stream or river that flows very little because it is dry

Work very well and smoothly after being fixed or updated

9.9

Manage and look after a business

8.5

To act in a risky way without thinking about the bad results

To support two opposite sides at the same time

Phrasal Verbs

937 1.9

Use all of something so none is left

646 1.9

Have no more of something because you used it all

550 1.6

To leave secretly and quickly to get away from danger or control

338 2.7

Meet someone by chance without planning

274 2.6

Experience a problem or difficulty unexpectedly

to run off
  • Informal
260 3.7

To leave a place or person suddenly, often without saying goodbye

217 1.1

To play and move quickly in different directions while making noise

142 3.7

To use a particular fuel or source for power

Not enough time left to finish something

93 1.1

To become difficult to control or stop, for example prices

93 3.3

A vehicle drives over a person or animal causing injury

to run away from
  • Informal
92 2.9

To avoid dealing with a problem or responsibility

88 2.9

Stop being valid after a set time

86 2.2

To arrive later than planned or expected

84 1.0

To pass close to a person or place while moving quickly on foot

84 2.8

To last for a period of time

78 2.0

Leave a place suddenly, often to avoid someone or something

75 2.3

Hit something by accident while moving

to run the show
  • Informal
58 4.1

To be in charge of an activity or group

to got to run
  • Informal
51 3.5

Have to leave immediately or very soon

To leave quickly with something stolen or taken without permission

43 2.7

Find something by chance while doing something else

to run on
  • Informal
38 5.0

To talk for a long time without stopping, often giving too many details

36 5.3

To try to escape quickly, often by running

33 3.9

Act without control or limits

32 4.0

Owe a lot of money quickly

31 2.5

To flow down a surface like water on a window

31 2.5

To have only a small amount left

28 5.6

To find the source of something by checking facts

28 1.3

Water or other liquid flows out of a container by accident

25 4.7

Make someone or something go away

Practice something to check for mistakes

24 2.8

To keep going for longer than expected without stopping

23 7.9

To get into trouble with rules or people in charge

20 6.5

To spend time casually with people who may cause trouble

20 4.5

Have very strong feelings or tension

20 7.5

To act wildly and cause chaos

19 6.5

To damage something by using it too much or managing it badly

To run for exercise often as a regular activity to get fit and feel relaxed

Use up money or supplies quickly and wastefully

15 3.2

To use up batteries, money or supplies until little remains

15 2.5

To be in a line next to something, like a road

To spread quickly, get out of control, and cause harm

14 7.9

To get into trouble for breaking rules or laws

to run scared
  • Informal
14 5.7

Act in a nervous way because you are afraid or feel pressure

14 3.7

To have very little of something left

13 4.1

To follow and catch a person, animal or vehicle

13 1.3

To move quickly past someone or let a chance go by without acting

To take part in a long race on foot of about 26 miles

To get a boat or ship stuck in shallow water near the shore

10 4.2

To use up something so none is left, for example ideas

To move quickly down the stairs to a lower floor

8 5.6

Raise a flag or sail by pulling on ropes

7 1.4

To move around quickly and energetically without a clear purpose

7 3.7

To stop having any water, like a river or well

7 2.9

Flow away from a surface into drains or rivers

6 4.8

To lose energy or enthusiasm and stop working well

6 5.5

To hit and pass over a person or animal with a vehicle

To act without care for other people or their rights

To go quickly to a shop to buy something you need

5 3.2

A liquid flows over the top of its container

Leave a place quickly because people are angry or you are in trouble

5 7.5

Make someone very tired by giving them too much work

4 4.8

To quickly say the main points

4 4.2

Make clothes quickly by sewing, for example a dress

To go quickly around a town to do errands

To suddenly start running, often after walking or standing still

2 3.4

Make copies of a document using a photocopier

to run ragged
  • Informal
2 6.3

To make someone very tired by giving them too much to do

2 5.8

Behave in a wild way without control

1 5.6

Hold a second vote or match between top candidates to decide the winner

To have almost no fuel left in a car

1 4.0

Do a lot of things for someone who keeps asking for help

Compounds

205 3.2

A long time when you see the final result of actions

169 2.3

A hit that lets the batter run all the bases and score a run

run-in
  • Informal
41 5.2

An angry argument with someone

28 3.7

A road accident where the driver leaves without stopping to help or give details

27 4.1

Lasting for a short time, not long-term

26 3.4

A period when a person, team, or company has a lot of success

26 5.4

A vehicle crash caused by a driver who leaves without helping or saying who they are

run-of-the-mill
  • Informal
24 3.3

Ordinary and not special

home run
  • Informal
20 2.5

A very successful result that achieves its goal

16 5.9

A sudden rise in prices or values over a short time

14 4.2

A complete rehearsal of a play or presentation without stopping

13 3.2

A short test to see if something works well before real use

8 4.1

A practice session before an event to check for problems

earned run
  • Specialized
7 6.3

A run charged to the pitcher when the other team makes no fielding error or passed ball

6 4.2

Happening over a long time, not just now

5 1.0

A short jog in the morning to exercise and wake up

bombing run
  • Specialized
4 7.3

The part of a plane's mission when it approaches a target and drops weapons on it

4 7.0

Many customers try to take out their money from a bank because they fear it will fail

4 2.1

A short race people run for fun or to raise money for charity

beer run
  • Informal
4 7.2

A quick trip to buy beer before a party or gathering

3 7.5

One of two major Civil War battles that took place near a creek in Virginia

earned run average
  • Specialized
3 6.5

Average number of runs a pitcher allows in nine innings, not counting runs after fielding mistakes

A sentence that joins more than one full idea without proper punctuation or connecting words

print run
  • Literature
3 3.7

The number of copies made for one edition of a magazine, book or newspaper

run batted in
  • Specialized
3 5.3

A score given to a batter when their hit lets another player reach home

2 6.1

A quick attack where the attackers leave immediately

run-time
  • Specialized
2 4.2

The time when a computer program runs on a device

An early Civil War battle in Virginia where Confederate forces defeat Union troops

end run
  • US
1 7.6

A way of avoiding a rule or decision by acting cleverly

1 4.2

A quick approach an athlete makes to gain speed before a jump or throw

ski run
  • UK
1 2.9

A slope prepared and kept for people to ski on

unearned run
  • Jargon
1 6.5

A run scored because a defensive player made a mistake, not from the batter's play

run of play
  • Jargon
1 6.1

The normal action during a game not counting set pieces like free kicks or penalties

1 2.2

An enclosed outdoor area where chickens live and move

1 5.5

A practice test to find and fix problems before the real event

1 7.7

An indirect way to avoid a rule or problem

end run
  • Jargon
1 6.5

An attempt to move the ball by running around the end of the line in American football

press run
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A period when a printing press makes one set of newspapers or magazines

To steal something quickly and run away

6.9

A creek in northeastern Virginia where two Civil War battles took place

Chinese home run
  • Informal
9.0

A surprising and very large success

A path that many people or vehicles use regularly

A major early Civil War battle fought in July 1861 near Manassas, Virginia that the Confederate army won

6.2

An enclosed yard where chickens or ducks are kept

mine run
  • Archaic
8.4

Not special or interesting

nudie run
  • NSFW
9.9

To run naked in public as a joke or dare

rat run
  • UK
8.1

A narrow hidden path people use to go somewhere faster

run-of-the-mine
  • Informal
7.2

Common and not special

run-time error
  • Specialized
5.5

A problem that happens while a program is running because of wrong data or bad instructions

pit run
  • Specialized
7.9

Gravel taken directly from a pit or quarry with mixed stone sizes

pit-run gravel
  • Specialized
7.4

A loose mix of small stones and sand taken from a gravel pit and used as is

tip-and-run
  • Jargon
8.6

A brief attack followed by a rapid retreat

split run
  • Jargon
8.1

A set of newspaper or magazine copies with some pages changed for different areas

How Fast

sprint
55 2.1
to run
1.0
to jog
29 1.0
to walk
1.0
to crawl
406 1.0

Surface Forms

run infinitive
running present participle
runs third person singular
ran past
run past participle

Etymology

Run comes from an old word that meant 'move' or 'flow', so think of a person moving fast like water moving down a hill; that is why to run means to move quickly on foot.