Refers to hustling, often of an illicit or morally gray type. Runs can imply sex work ("runs girl" = call girl) or any side hustle for cash. It's a way to talk about making money on the side. For example: "She dey do small runs to support herself through school. (Pidgin, meaning "She does some side hustles (likely transactional sex) to support herself through school.")"

Where does the slang word Runs come from?

Runs is a slang term from Nigeria. It is part of the rich slang vocabulary used in Nigeria and across Africa.

Runs

Q: What are other meanings of Runs?

Runs can also mean: A hustle or side gig, often of a sketchy or illicit nature. In Nigeria, runs can refer to anything from small scams to sugar-baby arrangements ('runs girl' means a woman who dates men for money).; Side hustle for money (Transactional relationships)

🇳🇬 Nigeria Slang

Added Aug 02, 2025 · 4 definitions

TOP DEFINITION

Runs definition 1

Refers to hustling, often of an illicit or morally gray type. Runs can imply sex work ("runs girl" = call girl) or any side hustle for cash. It's a way to talk about making money on the side.

"She dey do small runs to support herself through school. (Pidgin, meaning "She does some side hustles (likely transactional sex) to support herself through school.")"

by Khulekani Dladla Elder · Aug 02, 2025

DEFINITION 2

Runs definition 2

A hustle or side gig, often of a sketchy or illicit nature. In Nigeria, runs can refer to anything from small scams to sugar-baby arrangements ('runs girl' means a woman who dates men for money).

"He does Yahoo runs on the side to support his family. (Meaning: He engages in some illicit hustles (internet fraud) on the side to support his family.)"

by Khulekani Dladla Elder · Aug 02, 2025

DEFINITION 3

Runs definition 3

Side hustle for money (Transactional relationships)

"She dey do runs (She's involved in transactional relationships)"

by Khulekani Dladla Elder · Apr 06, 2026

DEFINITION 4

Runs definition 4

Illegal way to pass exam (Illegal way to pass exam)

"She dey do runs with lecturer (She's doing runs with the lecturer)"

by Khulekani Dladla Elder · Apr 06, 2026

Word Details

Country: 🇳🇬 Nigeria
Definitions: 4 community definitions
Added: August 2025

↻ Similar Words

Run 🇳🇬 Nigeria

Move fast (Move fast)

"Run go buy am (Run and buy it)"

Run 🇱🇷 Liberia

Move fast/Sprint (Run)

"Run before rain catch you! (Run before the rain catches you!)"

🇳🇬 About Nigeria Slang

Nigeria has one of Africa's richest street-language traditions, blending Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and Pidgin English into a constantly evolving slang vocabulary used by over 220 million people.

KASINARY has 1854 Nigeria slang words collected from native speakers.

Browse all Nigeria slang (1854 words)