runs
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Diarrhea/diarrhoea.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
He missed several days of school because he had the runs. They think it was a Norovirus infection.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “runs” mean?
Diarrhea/diarrhoea.
Is “runs” formal or informal?
runs is generally slang.