Language Research

run · verb

/rʌn/Full view

Word family

Nouns: run, rerun, runner, running

Adjectives: running, runny

Verbs: run, outrun, overrun

run (MOVE FAST)

A1 I or T to move on your feet at a faster speed than walking

Dictionary examples:

He can run very fast.

He ran away when I tried to pick him up.

We had to run to catch up with him.

I run about three miles every morning.

Learner example:

Children can run ev[e]rywh[e]re. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

run (ORGANIZE)

B1 T to organize or control something

Dictionary examples:

She ran her own restaurant for five years.

The school's lunchtime café is run by the students themselves.

Learner example:

My aunt is always working. She runs her own business. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

run (TRAVEL)

B2 I If trains or buses are running, they are available to travel on.

Dictionary examples:

Trains are still running, despite the snow.

A bus runs three times a day into town.

Buses are running an hour late, because of an earlier accident.

Learner example:

There is an easy way to get to the college: a service bus runs every 15 minutes, [and] the journey takes only 20 minutes. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

run (LIQUID)

B2 I If liquid runs somewhere, it flows.

Dictionary examples:

Tears ran down her face.

Have you got a tissue? My nose is running.

Learner example:

Tears ran down my cold ch[ee]k as my numb fingers open[e]d the envelope. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

run (USE COMPUTER)

B2 T If you run a computer program, you use it on your computer.

Dictionary example:

Did you run a virus check this morning?

Learner example:

At this point the computer is unable to run any program. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

run (WORKING)

C1 I or T If a piece of equipment is running, it is switched on and working, and if you run it, you switch it on and make it work.

Dictionary example:

She left the engine running while she went into the store.

Learner example:

The dish washer was delivered in time and installed as well, though we could not actually run the machine at that time. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Hindi)

run (PUBLISH)

C1 T to publish something in a newspaper or magazine

Dictionary example:

All the papers are running this story on the front page.

Learner example:

If we run a story on "HIV Symptoms" we could have a very succes[s]ful first issue. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

run (ELECTION)

C2 to try to get elected

Dictionary example:

Kutukas ran unsuccessfully for sheriff.

Learner example:

In addition, I would like to suggest that aspects of his life when he was running for mayor should be included in [the] form of a speech by himself. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Somali)

run sth along/over/through, etc. sth

C2 to move something along/over/through, etc., something else

Dictionary example:

She ran her fingers through her hair.

Learner example:

The manly figure that had tried to stop her now kneeled before her body running his finger through her soft blond hair. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

be running at sth

C2 to be at a particular level

Dictionary example:

Inflation is now running at 5.8%.

Learner example:

According to the official dat[a], unemployment is running at so high a level that it is even possible that the unemploy[ed] will rebel against the government. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)

make your blood run cold

C2 If something makes your blood run cold, it frightens you very much.

Dictionary example:

I heard a tapping on the window which made my blood run cold.

Learner example:

This thought scared me and made my blood run cold. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Turkish)

run the risk of sth

C2 to do something although something bad might happen because of it

Dictionary example:

I think I'll run the risk of hurting her feelings, and tell her the truth.

Learner example:

They constantly run the risk of losing their physical abilities. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Turkish)

run wild

C2 If someone, especially a child, runs wild, they behave as they want to and no one controls them.

Dictionary example:

Their nine-year-old son is left to run wild.

Learner example:

My parents decided to move to a small village when I was just a kid. Shortly after we settled [in], my parents decided that I was running wild and that it was time for me to receive some sort of education. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)

run wild

C2 If someone's imagination runs wild, they are not able to control their thoughts.

Dictionary example:

It was getting dark and my imagination was starting to run wild.

Learner example:

Her imagination started to run wild and she [began] to think about the dark corridors, the secret passages and the obscure dungeons that the castle might hide. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Italian)

run around

C2 to be very busy doing a lot of different things

Dictionary example:

I'm exhausted, I've been running around all morning.

Learner example:

Nowadays people are running around trying to save time wherever they can, when in reality time passes far quicker when we try to save it. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

run away

B2 to secretly leave a place because you are unhappy there

Dictionary example:

She ran away from home at the age of 13.

Learner example:

At the age of fourteen, she ran away from home. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

run down sb/sth or run sb/sth down

C1 to criticize someone or something, often unfairly

Dictionary example:

Whatever the government do, the press will always run them down.

Learner example:

But it's not fair to run down my country's past achievements. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Italian)

run into sth

B2 to accidentally hit something while you are driving a vehicle

Dictionary example:

He lost control of the car and ran into a tree.

Learner example:

I had tried to stop my car next to the road but I ran into a signpost. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

run into sb

B2 to meet someone that you know when you did not expect to meet them

Dictionary example:

I ran into Harry on the train.

Learner example:

We ran into an old friend of mine and we decided to have a coffee together. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)

run on sth

C1 If a machine runs on a supply of power, it uses that power to work.

Dictionary example:

My laptop is running on battery power.

Learner example:

Public transport will be quick and free, and run on electric power, so there won't be car pollution. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)

run out (USE ALL)

B1 to finish, use or sell all of something, so that there is none left

Dictionary examples:

I've run out of money/ideas/patience.

"Have you got any milk?" "Sorry, I ran out."

Learner example:

Well, I have run out of time, so I have to stop writing. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

run out (ALL USED)

B2 If a supply of something runs out, all of it has been used or it is completely finished.

Dictionary examples:

We've run out of milk.

My patience is beginning to run out.

Learner example:

In addition, if you are at home and something you need has run out or broken, you can go to buy it at any time. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)

run over sb/sth or run sb/sth over

B2 to hit someone or something with a vehicle and drive over them, injuring or killing them

Dictionary example:

He was run over by a bus.

Learner example:

After a while, his father vanished and a car ran over John and killed him. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

run through sth

C2 to repeat something in order to practice it or to make sure that it is correct

Dictionary example:

I just need to run through my talk.

run up against sth

C2 If you run up against problems or difficulties, you begin to experience them.

Dictionary example:

The plan for the park ran up against strong local opposition.

Learner example:

After running up against a lot of difficulties we managed to reach our hotel. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

run · noun C

/rʌn/

Word family

Nouns: run, rerun, runner, running

Adjectives: running, runny

Verbs: run, outrun, overrun

run (MOVE FAST)

B1 when you move on your feet at a speed faster than walking, especially for exercise

Dictionary examples:

We go for a three-mile run every evening after work.

If you set off at a run, you'll be exhausted later.

Learner example:

Walking is recognized [as] good exercise, or going for a run. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

run (SPORTS)

B2 in baseball or cricket, a single point

Dictionary example:

They scored three runs in the ninth inning to win the game.

Learner example:

I liked the competition because both the teams played well and they scored good runs. (Key English Test; A2; Hindi)

in the long run

B2 at a time that is far away in the future

Dictionary example:

It seems a lot of effort but I'm sure it's the best solution in the long run.

Learner example:

It costs a lot of money, but in the long run, it [is] worth [it]. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)

make a run for it

C2 to suddenly run fast in order to escape from somewhere

Dictionary example:

When he saw the open door, he made a run for it.

Learner example:

Anna and Tom decided to make a run for it. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

a run of sth

C2 when something happens several times without something different happening during that period

Dictionary examples:

a run of 10 games without a win

a run of good/bad luck

Learner example:

Strange though it may seem, he achieved success in every possible field not owing to a run of good luck, but thanks to his outstanding qualities. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)