Word
runaway
Phoneticsrun·away
US/ˈɹənəˌweɪ/
UK/ɹˈʌnəwˌeɪ/
Definitions
01a person who left home
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone, usually a young person, who leaves their home or family without permission.
n. a person, typically a minor, who has left their home or place of residence without parental or guardian consent.
“The police found the runaway at the train station and took him home safely.”
“Social workers often encounter runaways who have fled difficult domestic situations in search of independence in the city.”
Synonyms
02out of control
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. moving or happening very quickly in a way that cannot be stopped.
adj. characterised by rapid, unchecked increase or movement that has escaped human or mechanical control.
Español:desbocado
“The truck became a runaway vehicle after its brakes failed on the steep hill.”
“Economists expressed deep concern over runaway inflation, which threatened to devalue the national currency within a matter of months.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03an easy victory
C1 · Advanced Sports Informal
adj. describes a win or success that is very easy and happens by a large amount.
adj. denoting a victory or success achieved easily and by a substantial margin.
“The team had a runaway victory, winning the game by forty points.”
“After the early polls closed, it became clear that the incumbent was heading for a runaway success in the local elections.”
Synonyms
04leaving a group
C1 · Advanced Informal
adj. leaving a group or job suddenly to do something different or join a rival.
adj. deserting or revolting against a group or established duties, often to join a competing faction.
“The runaway members of the party decided to start their own political group.”
“The company struggled to contain the damage after a runaway executive leaked trade secrets to their primary competitor.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Sirius, the runaway Allsvenskan leaders, are not most teams.” “Talent is spread evenly across the country; opportunity is not.”
The reasons for London’s runaway success are many.” Etymology
Deverbal from run away.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/runaway
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0