CultureAugust 23, 2026

edgerunner

EJ-run-er

Definition

A risk-taking individual who lives on the fringes of a high-tech, dystopian society, often performing dangerous or illegal mercenary work.

Etymology

The word is a compound of 'edge'—referring to the outskirts or boundary of society—and 'runner,' a person who delivers goods or messages. It gained modern prominence through the Cyberpunk genre to describe outcasts operating at the literal and figurative margins.

In the news

In the article, the term describes David Martinez, the protagonist of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, highlighting his life of danger and survival in the lawless Night City.

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