scarlet runner: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialised (Gardening/Botany), Historical (Railways)
Quick answer
What does “scarlet runner” mean?
A climbing bean plant (Phaseolus coccineus) with bright red flowers and edible pods and seeds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A climbing bean plant (Phaseolus coccineus) with bright red flowers and edible pods and seeds.
Historically, a nickname for a fast express train, particularly in the UK. Also, a type of scarlet-colored fish (such as the scarlet runner wrasse).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The plant is known in both regions. The historical train usage is primarily British.
Connotations
In the UK, may evoke both gardening and railway heritage. In the US, almost exclusively a gardening term.
Frequency
More common in UK gardening contexts; rare in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “scarlet runner” in a Sentence
[plant/grow/harvest] + scarlet runner (beans)the scarlet runner + [climbs/produces/is]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in botanical texts and horticultural studies.
Everyday
Used by gardeners and in cooking contexts when referring to the beans.
Technical
Botanical nomenclature; historical railway terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “scarlet runner”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “scarlet runner”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “scarlet runner”
- Misspelling as 'scarlett runner' or 'scarlet runer'. Confusing it with 'scarlet fever' or other 'scarlet' compounds.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both the young pods and the mature beans inside are edible when cooked.
Yes, historically it was a nickname for a fast train, and it can also refer to a type of brightly coloured fish.
It is a low-frequency, specialised term, most commonly encountered in gardening contexts.
Scarlet runners are a climbing (pole) variety with distinctive red flowers and often a stronger flavour, whereas many common green beans are bush varieties.
A climbing bean plant (Phaseolus coccineus) with bright red flowers and edible pods and seeds.
Scarlet runner is usually specialised (gardening/botany), historical (railways) in register.
Scarlet runner: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskɑːlɪt ˈrʌnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskɑːrlɪt ˈrʌnər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a runner in a bright scarlet (red) tracksuit, but instead of running on a track, they're climbing up a garden trellis like a bean plant.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED/LOCOMOTION IS GROWTH (for the plant's climbing habit) and SPEED IS SCARLET (for the train, evoking a flash of red).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary contemporary meaning of 'scarlet runner'?