running (English)

Where does "running" come from?

The word 'running' is formed by combining the Old English verb 'rinnan,' meaning to flow or move quickly, with the suffix '-ing.' This suffix marks the action as ongoing, transforming the root verb into the present participle or gerund we recognize today.

Full etymology tree

• running (English), 'present participle and gerund of run'
  • derived run (English), 'To be popularly known; to be generally received.'
  • suffix -ing (English), 'Used to form nouns or noun-like words (or elements of noun phrases) from verbs, denoting the act of doing something, an action, or the embodiment of an action.'

Direct ancestors

• run (English)
• -ing (English)

Updated July 2026

Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris