How do you use "Front runner" in a sentence?

She's the front runner for the position. The front runner in the election. He emerged as the front runner.

Front runner

Q: What does "Front runner" mean?

The leading candidate or competitor. From horse racing—the horse leading the race. Used for anyone in the lead position, especially in competitions or elections.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: The leading candidate or competitor.

领先的候选人或竞争者。

El candidato o competidor que va en cabeza.

最有力候補、トップを走る競争者。

최유력 후보, 선두 경쟁자.

From horse racing—the horse leading the race. Used for anyone in the lead position, especially in competitions or elections.

源自赛马——领跑的马。用于处于领先位置的人，尤其是在竞争或选举中。

De las carreras de caballos—el caballo que lidera la carrera. Se usa para cualquier persona en posición de liderazgo, especialmente en competiciones o elecciones.

競馬由来の表現。レースをリードしている馬。特に競争や選挙でトップの位置にいる人に使われる。

경마에서 유래—경주에서 앞서 달리는 말. 경쟁이나 선거에서 선두에 있는 사람에게 사용한다.

Literal meaning: Horse running at the front

Examples

She's the front runner for the position.
她是这个职位的热门人选
Ella es la favorita para el puesto
彼女はそのポジションの最有力候補だ
그녀가 그 자리의 최유력 후보다.
The front runner in the election.
选举中的领跑者
El favorito en las elecciones
選挙の最有力候補
선거의 최유력 후보.
He emerged as the front runner.
他成为了领跑者
Él surgió como el favorito
彼が最有力候補として浮上した
그가 최유력 후보로 떠올랐다.

Pronunciation

/frʌnt ˈrʌnə/

Usage Guide

Context: competition, elections, leadership

Tone: neutral, political

✓ Do Say

The front runner.
领跑者
El favorito
最有力候補だ
최유력 후보.
Front runner for the job.
这个职位的领先候选人
El favorito para el puesto
そのポストの最有力候補
그 자리의 최유력 후보.
Emerged as front runner.
成为了领跑者
Se perfiló como favorito
最有力候補として浮上した
최유력 후보로 떠오르다.

✗ Don't Say

Leading candidate
Leading candidate（领先候选人）
Leading candidate（candidato líder）
Leading candidate（有力候補）
선두 후보
Current leader
Current leader（目前的领先者）
Current leader（líder actual）
Current leader（現在のリーダー）
현재 1위

Common Mistakes

Horse racing origin
Very common in political coverage

Origin & History

From horse racing—the horse currently in the lead.

Etymology: Horse racing slang, 19th century

First recorded: Late 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Horse racing; Political elections

Regional notes: Universal English horse racing metaphor.

Variations

Front runnerFront-runnerThe front runner