runaway
runaway Lexical Profile
runaway Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Happening very quickly or easily without being controlled or restrained.
"The central bank raised interest rates in an urgent effort to curb runaway inflation."
Having escaped from confinement or fled from home.
"The local animal shelter helped reunite the runaway dog with its relieved owners."
Achieved rapidly, decisively, and by a wide margin (especially of a victory or commercial success).
"Her debut novel became a runaway bestseller within weeks of its publication."
• noun
A person, especially a child or teenager, who has left home or an institution without permission.
"The community center provides safe shelter and counseling for teenage runaways."
An animal or vehicle that has broken loose from restraint or control.
"The experienced ranch hand rode ahead to intercept the runaway before it reached the highway."
An easy, decisive victory or contest in which one competitor wins by an overwhelming margin.
"What analysts expected to be a close championship game turned into a complete runaway by halftime."
Word Nuance & Usage
The closed compound 'runaway' functions as a noun or an attributive adjective (e.g., 'a runaway train'), whereas the open two-word phrase 'run away' is the phrasal verb (e.g., 'the dog tried to run away').