Word.ws English Dictionary

runs after

runs after is the third-person singular simple present indicative of run after.

Meaning of run after

Verb

run after (third-person singular simple present runs after, present participle running after, simple past ran after, past participle run after)

  1. To follow quickly, often in an effort to catch or catch up with (someone or something).
    • That dog will get hurt if he continues to run after cars.
    Synonyms:
    pursue, chase
  2. To make a determined effort to win someone's affections or to have a sexual relationship with them.
    • She runs after any man in uniform!
  3. To endeavour to find or obtain.
    • […] now, while I stick to my good friends here, I am very contented; but when I ever so little run after sights and fine things, I begin to hate my work, I grow sad, and have no heart to mend shoes any longer.1762, Oliver Goldsmith, The Citizen of the World, London, Volume 1, Letter 62, p. 284
  4. (obsolete) To seek the company or assistance of; to frequent; to consult (someone).
    • And thus he is so poysoned w[i]t[h] bitternes and obstinacy that he begynneth to hate and to blaspheme God in heauen and seketh vnlaufull meanes to helpe and remedye hym self, lyke as Saul dyd, runnynge after wytches and sothsaiers,1550, Otto Werdmüller, chapter 28, in Miles Coverdale, transl., A Spyrytuall and Moost Precyouse Pearle, London: Gwalter Lynne
  5. (obsolete) To seek to participate in, devote oneself to (something).
    • They will not be ruled by God, nor bridled by his word. They wil follow their owne swinge. They will run after their owne lusts and pleasures.1607, Arthur Dent, The Plaine Mans Path-Way to Heauen, London: Edward Bishop, page 332
  6. (archaic, passive voice) To be well-liked and much admired.
    • She is run after by many people.

Questions about runs after

What is runs after the third-person singular simple present indicative of?
Runs after is the third-person singular simple present indicative of run after.

Words near runs after in the dictionary

  1. runs about
  2. runs about with
  3. runs across
  4. runs adrift
  5. runs afoul of
  6. runs after
  7. runs against
  8. runs aground
  9. runs ahead
  10. runs along
  11. runs amok

Source and license

Adapted from Wiktionary: runs after (page history and authors); run after (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

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Cite this entry: “runs after.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/runs_after. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.