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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

run short en · VERB

Meanings

  1. (intransitive, transitive, with 'of') To have used up or consumed the majority (of something), so that little remains.
    • We're running short of wine. Could you fetch some more, please?
    • How much ice cream is left? Are we running short?
    • Diggle Station lies high up in the Pennine Chain, subject to extreme low temperatures. With this and heavy snowfall in the winter months, Diggle bids fair to compete with the Scottish lines under similar weather conditions, and the provision of unfrozen water in the higher ambient temperature of the tunnel must be a boon to harassed engine drivers whose thirsty steeds run short of water up the gruelling 1 in 125 seven-mile climb from Stalybridge. 1959 February 14, “Letters to the Editor: Diggle Water Troughs”, in Railway Magazine, page 135:
  2. To be nearly used up or consumed.
    • Patience is running short.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
run short Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
running short Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
runs short Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
ran short Tense=Past lexicographic

Relateds

run out · run low