Other forms: runner-ups
A runner-up is the competitor who finished second. Beaten into runner-up, the runner-up prize, runners-up medals.
The plural puts the s on runner rather than on up, which catches people out. In competitions with several places, everybody who did not win can be a runner-up.
1nounrunner-upThe competitor who finished second.
“The runner-up got a certificate and a firm handshake.”
runner-up is a competitor.
Practised in Games & Toys