ran
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
An inflected form of run · inflected form.
How often you will meet it
Rank 483 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 42,333 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.020% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 500 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
verb
- move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time Don't run--you'll be out of breathThe children ran to the store
- flee; take to one's heels; cut and run also: scat, scarper, turn tail, lam, run away, hightail it If you see this man, run!The burglars escaped before the police showed up
- stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point also: go, pass, lead, extend Service runs all the way to CranburyHis knowledge doesn't go very far
- direct or control; projects, businesses, etc. also: operate She is running a relief operation in the Sudan
- have a particular form also: go the story or argument runs as followsas the saying goes...
- move along, of liquids also: flow, feed, course Water flowed into the cavethe Missouri feeds into the Mississippi
ran in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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He displayed a radiant face, turned suddenly, and ran off.
The Hill: A Romance of Friendship · Horace Annesley Vachell · Chapter 1
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A young girl in V.A.D. uniform ran lightly across the lawn.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles · Agatha Christie · Chapter 1
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At this the king turned pale and a cold shiver ran through his limbs.
An Egyptian Princess — Volume 07 · Georg Ebers · Chapter 1
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As for the other leopard, it made to shore, and ran with prodigious swiftness out of sight.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures · Daniel Defoe · Chapter 1
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Gluck fitted the slice into the mutton again, with desperate efforts at exactitude, and ran to open the door.
Famous Stories Every Child Should Know · Hamilton Wright [Editor] Mabie · Chapter 1