How Many Meanings of 'Run' Do You Know?

 

Here is the truth about the English language: Some words take up so much space in the dictionary that they could be their own book.

And the word "run" would be the biggest book of all.

When you think of "run," the first thing that might come to mind is a person moving very quickly with their legs. But "run" can act as both a verb and a noun, with meanings too numerous to count -- unless you like counting to 645. That is the number of definitions that Oxford¹ English Dictionary has found for "run" for its upcoming 2037 edition.

The massive number of uses for this three-letter word hit a growth spurt² during the Industrial Revolution. It has not slowed down since.

The good news is you can often guess the meaning by how the speaker or writer uses it. So, instead of thinking of "run" as an impossible list of definitions, think of it as a power tool of language. It can help you communicate a lot of ideas.

In fact, I bet you already know more than you realize. So on today's Everyday Grammar program, I am going help you test your knowledge on "run" as a verb. I will say a sentence and ask a question. You will have a short time to choose your answers.

Ready? Here is the first one:

The crosstown bus runs every 20 minutes on weekdays.

Which meaning of "run" did the speaker use?

to move quickly using your legs

to travel along a usual route

to make a short, quick visit

The answer is b. to travel along a usual route. It can also mean to travel at usual times on the route. We use "run" in this way when talking about public transportation, such as buses and trains. A bus can run every 20 minutes, for example. It can also run from First Street to Tenth Street.

Careful! Don't put the grass cutter down while it's running.

Which meaning of "run" did the speaker use?

to function or operate

to test or check something or someone

to produce a flow of liquid

The answer is a. to function or operate. This meaning is generally connected to mechanical or electrical objects and equipment. When the power for a piece of equipment is on, it is running. That also includes car engines and computers. A closely related meaning deals with starting or using a computer program.

Muriel Bowser ran for mayor of Washington, D.C. in 2018 and won.

Which meaning of "run" did the speaker use?

to test or check someone or something

to direct the business or activities of

to be a candidate for an official position

The answer is c. to be a candidate for an official position. We use this meaning for any person who can be chosen through an election, including for president, governor or mayor, or unrelated positions.

Moira has run a program for young athletes for three years.

Which meaning of "run" did the speaker use?

to direct the business or activities of

to move quickly using your legs

to make a short, quick visit

The answer is a. to direct the business or activities of. A person (or people) can run an organization, a company, a program or even an event. An official can also run an agency or a city, state or country. For instance, Muriel Bowser now runs the city of Washington, D.C.

I need to run a few errands to buy supplies. Then, I'm stopping at mom's house for lunch.

Which meaning of "run" did the speaker use?

to cost an amount

to leave or go quickly

to do a task that involves a quick trip

The answer is c. to do a task that involves a quick trip. We almost always use the verb "run" in relation to errands. We can say, for example, "I have (a few) errands to run" or "I need to run (a few) errands."

And here is the last one:

Sorry, I can't talk now. I have to run. I'm leading a meeting at 2 o'clock.

Which meaning of "run" did the speaker use?

to move quickly using your legs

to leave or go quickly

to direct the business or activities of

The answer is b. to leave or go quickly. This is a meaning we use informally with friends, close coworkers or family. For example, if you were on a phone call with a friend but you had to quickly end the call, you could tell the person you have to run.

Actually, I have to run now, too! Thanks for taking the quick test. Look and listen for the word "run" wherever English is being used. Then, ask yourself if you can guess the meaning by how the speaker or writer uses it.

Words in This Story

dictionary - n. a reference book that contains words listed in alphabetical³ order and gives the words' meanings, forms and pronunciations

edition - n. a particular version of a book

growth spurt - n. an occurrence of growing quickly and suddenly in a short period of time

guess - v. to form an opinion or give an answer about something when you do not know much about it

function - v. to work or operate

errand - n. a short journey that you take to do or get something

task - n. a piece of work to be done or undertaken

informally - adv. in a way that is not suited for serious or official speech and writing

1 Oxford   

n.牛津（英国城市）

参考例句：

• At present he has become a Professor of Chemistry at Oxford.他现在已是牛津大学的化学教授了。
• This is where the road to Oxford joins the road to London.这是去牛津的路与去伦敦的路的汇合处。

2 spurt   

v.喷出；突然进发；突然兴隆

参考例句：

• He put in a spurt at the beginning of the eighth lap.他进入第八圈时便开始冲刺。
• After a silence, Molly let her anger spurt out.沉默了一会儿，莫莉的怒气便迸发了出来。

3 alphabetical   

adj.字母（表）的，依字母顺序的

参考例句：

• Please arrange these books in alphabetical order.请把这些书按字母顺序整理一下。
• There is no need to maintain a strict alphabetical sequence.不必保持严格的字顺。