Also-ran Definition
ôlsō-răn
also-rans
noun
also-rans
A horse that does not win, place, or show in a race.
American Heritage
A horse that fails to finish first, second, or third in a race.
Webster's New World
A loser in a competition, as in an election.
American Heritage
Any loser in any competition.
Webster's New World
One that has little talent or success.
Just an also-ran in the art world.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- loser
- defeatee
Antonyms:
Other Word Forms of Also-ran
Noun
Singular:
also-ranPlural:
also-ransOrigin of Also-ran
The phrase comes from the world of horse race betting wherein lists of winners would be published with all non-paying positions printed in a block under the heading 'Also Ran:'.
From Wiktionary
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