runaway

[ruhn-uh-wey]

noun

1. a person who runs away; fugitive; deserter.

2. a horse or team that has broken away from control.

3. the act of running away.

4. a decisive or easy victory.

5. a young person, especially a teenager, who has run away from home.

adjective

1. having run away; escaped; fugitive.

2. (of a horse or other animal) having escaped from the control of the rider or driver.

3. pertaining to or accomplished by running away or eloping.

   a runaway marriage.

4. easily won, as a contest.

   a runaway victory at the polls.

   Synonyms: complete, absolute

5. unchecked; rampant.

   runaway prices.

6. Informal.,  deserting or revolting against one's group, duties, expected conduct, or the like, especially to establish or join a rival group, change one's life drastically, etc..

   The runaway delegates nominated their own candidate.

Word History and Origins

Origin of runaway¹

First recorded in 1505–15; noun, adj. use of verb phrase run away

Example Sentences

However, traditional prescribed burns can require road closures for safety reasons, and fire crews typically only perform them in cooler, wetter conditions to limit the risk of a powerful, runaway fire.

From Los Angeles Times

His biggest break came when he landed the very late slot hosting his own Fox News show, “Red Eye,” which would set the stage for his runaway success.

From Los Angeles Times

“These enhancements to our program, they’re not just about curbing runaway production,” she said in an interview.

From Los Angeles Times

So it was like a runaway freight train that had left the station.

From Los Angeles Times

The US are distinct underdogs against runaway world number ones and tournament favourites England on Friday.

From BBC

Related Words

• rampant 
• unbridled 
• unchecked 
• uncontrolled 
• unrestrained