Definition

1. Noun:
   • The competitor who finishes second: A "runner-up" is the participant in a competition, contest, or race who achieves second place, finishing immediately after the winner.

Usage

• The term "runner-up" is used to denote the second-place finisher in a structured competition. It is a countable noun.
• It is commonly used in the context of sports tournaments, beauty pageants, awards ceremonies, and other competitive events.
• The plural form is "runners-up."

Examples

• Noun:
  • She was the runner-up in the national spelling bee.
  • The runner-up will receive a silver medal.
  • After a close final match, he had to settle for being the runner-up.

Advanced Usage

• "To finish as (the) runner-up": To end a competition in second place.
  • The team finished as runner-up for the third consecutive year.
• "Runner-up prize/award": A prize given specifically to the competitor in second place.
  • The runner-up prize includes a cash award and a trophy.

Variants and Related Words

• Second place (n): A phrase describing the position of the runner-up.
  • He took second place in the marathon.
• Finalist (n): A competitor who reaches the final round of a competition; this can include the winner, runner-up, and sometimes others.
  • All four finalists will be awarded prizes.

Synonyms

• Second-place finisher: A direct synonym describing the same position.
• Silver medalist: Specifically used in competitions where a silver medal is awarded for second place.

Related Phrases

• Bridemaid (informal, chiefly British): A colloquial term, often used in sports, for a team or person that frequently finishes as runner-up but does not win.
  • The team has been the bridesmaid too many times; they are desperate to finally win.
• First runner-up: A specific term used in some pageants or contests to unambiguously denote the second-place finisher (with "second runner-up" denoting third place, etc.).

Noun

1. the competitor who finishes second