runway

/ˈɹʌnweɪ/

//ˈɹʌnweɪ// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"runway" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“runway” has 9 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #8,086. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#8,086
frequency rank, English
3,094
“R” headwords
9
tracked misspellings
2
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - A defined, narrow section of land or an artificial structure used for access.

Corpus desk

Index EN-runway · runway · English

runway · rank #8,086 · 9 variants · 2 confusables

  • FREQ-COMMON #8,086
  • LEN-LONG 6 letters
  • VOW-3 3 vowels
  • CONFUS-LOW 2 pairs
  • VAR-MID 9 variants
  • BOOK-MID 3,094
  • PHOTO-FINISH Romans

Nearest frequency peer: Romans (-1 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Rank peers near misspelling magnet “runway”

Same rarity band: useful when a typo lands on a peer headword

corpus weight

What this shows “runway” sits among these FrequencyWords peers; misspelling depth is tracked separately in the edit-distance chart.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

runway vs runny
67% similar
runway vs runaway
86% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for runway
PropertyValue
Headwordrunway
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈɹʌnweɪ/
Letters6
Frequency rank#8,086
Misspellings tracked9
Confusable pairs2
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Frequency seat of misspelling magnet “runway”

Word frequency stretches from the small set of words we reach for constantly (left) out to the long tail barely used once in a while (right).runwaylands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Same rarity band neighbours include “Romans” (#8,085), “sculpture” (#8,087), “reviewing” (#8,084). Among 3,094 “R” headwords, “runway” is #8,086. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 9 spelling variants around runway (IPA /ˈɹʌnweɪ/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #8,086 among 3,094 “R” headwords. Wiktionary lists 7 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 9 likely wrong-spelling variants for runway, with forms such as "rnuway", "rrunway", and "runawy". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 2 confusable-pair relationships, "runny", "runaway", since the words sound or look close enough that writers reach for the wrong one mid-sentence.

Etymologically, the entry records: From run + way. The correct English form is runway, spelled R-U-N-W-A-Y.

Definition

  1. 1
    A defined, narrow section of land or an artificial structure used for access.
  2. 2
    The usual path taken by deer or other wild animals, such as from a forest to a water source.
  3. 3
    A narrow walkway (often on a platform) extending from a stage on which people walk, especially one used by models during fashion shows.
  4. 4
    In javelin, long jump, and similar events: a short track along which athletes can accelerate themselves for their jumps or throws.
  5. 5
    A section of land, usually paved, for airplanes to land on or take off from.
  6. 6
    The number of months that a startup company can operate by using up its cash reserves.
  7. 7
    A stream bed.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how runway appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. The invention comprehends an inclined runway or cable connected at its upper end in any desirable way to a point adjacent the bin, pocket, or chute to which the coal is to be delivered and connected at its lower end to a post or other point of attachment located at the side of the pile of coal. […] The coal tub or carrier by means of which the coal is con…
  2. From many years’ experience with automobiles, I have known the manner of signaling by horn to the garage keeper or elevator man the desire to enter the building. As many garages are located in residence districts, this is truly a very annoying custom and should be stopped. To overcome this nuisance a handy electric push button could be mounted on posts on…

Etymology

From run + way.

Synonyms

airstrip

This word in other languages

pista(Español)podium(Français)Laufsteg(Deutsch)passarela(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • rnuway
  • rrunway
  • runawy
  • runnway
  • runwayy
  • runwway
  • runwya
  • ruwnay
  • urnway

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of runway - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

rnuway2rrunway1runawy2runnway1runwayy1runwway1runwya2ruwnay2
Edit distance from "runway"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "runway"?
"runway" is spelled R-U-N-W-A-Y. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈɹʌnweɪ/.
What does "runway" mean?
As a noun, "runway" means: A defined, narrow section of land or an artificial structure used for access.
What words are commonly confused with "runway"?
"runway" is commonly confused with "runny", "runaway". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "runway"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "runway" is /ˈɹʌnweɪ/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "runway"?
From run + way. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "runway", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 6 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

Romans#8,085senses#8,088sensor#8,089Sharon#8,091

Similar misspelling depth

Headwords with a similar count of attested misspellings (9 here; floor ≥5).

smoked9 variantsoutline9 variantsleisure9 variantsanthem9 variants

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list