# runner

/ˈɹənɝ/ (US) · /ɹˈʌnɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/runner
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. athlete

noun · CEFR A2

a person who runs for exercise or in a race.

For teachers: an individual who participates in the sport of running or competes in races.

- The marathon runner crossed the finish line after four hours of racing.
- Elite runners often follow a rigorous training schedule that balances high-intensity intervals with long-distance endurance sessions.

### 2. messenger or assistant

noun · CEFR B1

someone who carries messages or does small jobs for a team.

For teachers: a person employed to carry messages, collect items, or perform errands, especially in a film studio or office.

- He got a job as a runner on a movie set to learn how films are made.
- The production runner spent the afternoon delivering revised scripts to the lead actors and ensuring the catering arrived on schedule.

### 3. narrow rug or cloth

noun · CEFR B2

a long, narrow rug for a hallway or a long cloth for a table.

For teachers: a long, narrow carpet designed for corridors or stairs, or a decorative strip of fabric placed across a table.

- We bought a red runner to protect the wooden floor in the hallway.
- The interior designer suggested a silk table runner to add a touch of elegance to the dining room without covering the mahogany wood.

### 4. plant stem

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a stem that grows along the ground and starts new plants.

For teachers: a slender horizontal stem, or stolon, that grows along the soil surface and takes root at intervals to form new plants.

- Strawberry plants spread quickly because they send out runners.
- The gardener carefully clipped the runners to ensure the parent plant directed its energy toward fruit production rather than vegetative expansion.

### 5. sliding part

noun · CEFR B2

a part of a machine or object that slides, like the blade on an ice skate.

For teachers: a part on which something slides, such as the blade of an ice skate or the rail of a drawer.

- The runners on the old wooden drawer were stuck, making it hard to open.
- The bobsleigh's steel runners must be polished to a mirror finish to minimize friction against the ice during the descent.

### 6. shoes

noun · CEFR B1 · British English · Dialect

comfortable shoes used for running or casual wear.

For teachers: a pair of lightweight, cushioned shoes designed for athletic activities.

- Don't forget to pack your runners for the gym tomorrow.
- He laced up his runners and headed out for a quick jog before the rain started.

Teaching tip: This term is common in Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and parts of Canada; American speakers usually say 'sneakers' and British speakers often say 'trainers'.

### 7. smuggler

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a person who secretly brings illegal goods into a place.

For teachers: a person who engages in the illicit transport of goods, often used in compounds like 'gun-runner' or 'rum-runner'.

- The coast guard caught the blockade runner trying to enter the port.
- Historical accounts describe the daring exploits of blockade runners who supplied the besieged city during the naval embargo.

### 8. to leave quickly

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · British English

to run away from a place to avoid trouble.

For teachers: an act of fleeing or making a quick escape, typically to avoid payment or capture.

- The teenagers did a runner from the restaurant without paying the bill.
- After the window shattered, the suspects did a runner before the police could arrive at the scene.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'do a runner'.

## Examples

- She is a fast runner and wins many races.
- The marathon organizers provided water stations every few miles to help each runner stay hydrated during the race.
- While the lead runner maintained a steady pace throughout the first half of the event, the chasing pack began to close the gap as they approached the final incline.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.