elope

[ ih-lohp ]

verb (used without object)

, e·loped, e·lop·ing.

1. 1. to run off secretly to be married, usually without the consent or knowledge of one's parents or family.
   2. to get married in a small ceremony with few or no guests and often without a reception:

      After the stress of planning my first wedding, I decided that this time I'd just elope.

2. to run away with a lover.
3. 1. to leave without permission or notification; escape:

      At age 21, the apprentice eloped from his master.

   2. (of a patient or person in care) to leave a hospital, care facility, or safe area independently without notifying anyone.

elope

/ ɪˈləʊp /

verb

1. intr to run away secretly with a lover, esp in order to marry

Derived Forms

• eˈloper, noun
• eˈlopement, noun

Other Words From

• e·lope·ment noun
• e·lop·er noun
• un·e·loped adjective
• un·e·lop·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elope¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; Middle English alopen (unrecorded) “to run away” (whence Anglo-French aloper ); a- ³( def ), lope ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of elope¹

C16: from Anglo-French aloper, perhaps from Middle Dutch lōpen to run; see lope

Example Sentences

The new brides revealed earlier this month that they eloped in October after being engaged for a year.

From Los Angeles Times

Sticks and stones aren't enough to thwart biological attraction, but sometimes those are the only tools available to pastoralists trying to prevent wildlife from eloping with their livestock.

From Science Daily

The couple knew they wanted to elope, and on a trip to Los Angeles they discovered that the state of California offers confidential marriage certificates, so their marriage wouldn’t be discovered by the media.

From Los Angeles Times

“They weren’t asking. They’d eloped, ran off and gotten married without telling their families. And that wasn’t even their biggest news.”

From Literature

Her parents tried to make her a ward of court, but the couple eloped to Brighton and later married.

From BBC

Related Words

• run off