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run

verb · noun · adjective

Form of run , past participle of run.

Simple meaning

Move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

ruhn
US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈɹʌn

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

verb

  1. Move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

    “Don't run--you'll be out of breath.”

  2. Move about freely and without restraint, or act as if running around in an uncontrolled way

    “Who are these people running around in the building?”

  3. intransitive

    To move forward quickly upon two feet by alternately making a short jump off either foot.

  4. Move along, of liquids

  5. past participle of run

    To move swiftly.

  6. past participle of run

    To control or manage, be in charge of.

    “He is running the candidate's expensive campaign.”

noun

  1. Act or instance of running, of moving rapidly using the feet.

  2. Act or instance of hurrying (to or from a place) (not necessarily on foot); dash or errand, trip.

  3. A pleasure trip.

  4. Flight, instance or period of fleeing.

  5. Migration of fish.

  6. A group of fish that migrate, or ascend a river for the purpose of spawning.

adjective

  1. In a liquid state; melted or molten.

  2. Cast in a mould.

  3. Exhausted; depleted (especially with "down" or "out").

  4. Smuggled.

Word at a Glance

Difficulty
A1 · Beginner
Frequency
Very Common
Typical Use
Everyday English

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

This meaning: Move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

Used this way, run is a common word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.

Heard in a sentence
“Don't run--you'll be out of breath.”
Emotional tone
Neutral
Formality
Neutral
Intensity
Not strongly marked
How common
Common
Connotation
No strong connotation
Usage feel
Neutral and straightforward

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

How It’s Used

The word’s distinct uses, one example each.

  • Moveverb

    “Don't run--you'll be out of breath.”

  • Controlverb

    “He is running the candidate's expensive campaign.”

More ways to use run

  • “If you see this man, run!”verb
  • “Don't run--you'll be out of breath.”verb

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Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

run awayrun through

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Similar Words, What’s the Difference?

Close in meaning, but not always interchangeable.

  • work

    To move in an agitated manner.

  • drive

    To compel to move.

  • pass

    To move through time.

More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin

Synonyms

Sense: act or instance of running

race

Common Forms & Phrases

  • run out of , Have no more of something.
  • run into , Meet by chance, or hit something.
  • run late , Be behind schedule.

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.