run-down

[ ruhn-doun ]

adjective

1. fatigued; weary; exhausted.
2. in a state of poor health:

   He was in a run-down condition from months of overwork.

3. in neglected condition; fallen into disrepair:

   a run-down house.

   Synonyms: shabby, tacky, seedy

4. (of a spring-operated device) not running because it is unwound.

run down

verb

1. to cause or allow (an engine, battery, etc) to lose power gradually and cease to function or (of an engine, battery, etc) to do this
2. to decline or reduce in number or size

   the firm ran down its sales force

3. tr, usually passive to tire, sap the strength of, or exhaust

   he was thoroughly run down and needed a holiday

4. tr to criticize adversely; denigrate; decry
5. tr to hit and knock to the ground with a moving vehicle
6. nautical
   1. tr to collide with and cause to sink
   2. intr, preposition to navigate so as to move parallel to (a coast)
7. tr to pursue and find or capture

   to run down a fugitive

8. tr to read swiftly or perfunctorily

   he ran down their list of complaints

adjective

1. tired; exhausted
2. worn-out, shabby, or dilapidated

noun

1. a brief review, résumé, or summary
2. the process of a motor or mechanism coming gradually to a standstill after the source of power is removed
3. a reduction in number or size

Word History and Origins

Origin of run-down¹

First recorded in 1675–85; adj. use of verb phrase run down

Example Sentences

Davis, who scored 40 points, worked from the block with Wembanyama on his hip and the shot clock running down, only to find a cutting LeBron James for a layup that helped ice the win.

From Los Angeles Times

In response, Pennycook said: "The government certainly recognises the pressures on local authorities and the burdens placed on households as a result of 14 years in which local government was run down."

From BBC

If he stayed he would have to renew, but they were struggling to agree on financial demands and Chelsea were never going to allow his contract to run down.

From BBC

Roughly 40% of the state’s votes will be logged for Trump when the counting is complete, with red streaks running down the center of the state.

From Los Angeles Times

He didn’t realize the wild sequence that followed until he saw Bruins fans celebrating and teammates running down the sideline alongside cornerback Kaylin Moore.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• broken-down
• crumbling
• decrepit
• derelict
• deserted
• desolate
• dilapidated
• dingy
• neglected
• ramshackle
• rickety
• seedy
• tacky