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View synonyms for run-down

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of run-down1

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

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