Definition

A person or boat that transports alcohol illegally, especially across borders.

Example

During Prohibition, many rumrunners used small boats to smuggle liquor into the country.

Conversation

Did you hear about that old boat called the rumrunner that used to operate in our area?

Yeah, I read that it was famous for smuggling liquor during Prohibition.

It's crazy to think about the risks those rumrunners took back then.

Right? They must have had some wild stories to tell!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Rumrunner → The word is formed from "rum" (from the English word for a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane) and "runner" (from Old English "runnian", meaning to run). A rumrunner originally referred to someone who ran or smuggled rum, especially during Prohibition.

Memory Tip

Think of someone 'running' ('runner') to transport 'rum' — that's why a rumrunner is someone who smuggles rum.

Visually Confused Words