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Glite Dictionary
second-stringer

second-stringer

1 7.5
A player who usually sits on the bench and replaces others during games
  • noun
  • /ˈsɛkəndˌstrɪŋər/
  • US
translation icon : suplente
  • They were already down to second stringers to start the game and then lost RT Todd Herremans during the game.

Examples

  • The sudden-death winning basket had been sunk by second-stringer Donald Fox.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • The Shadow Thief and Chronos represent second-stringers Hawkman and Atom.

    Blog text (30)

  • You second-stringers, don't take it too hard.

    She's the Man (2006)

  • Coach had promised that everyone would get into the game, but there was no hiding the fact that Darren was a second-stringer.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Before that second stringer got popped against DP, they were driving.

    Blog text (8)

  • You mean Akin, the second stringer who won the primary with help from McCaskill, who did *exactly* what she hoped he'd do, and whose blood in the water cost us both IN-Sen and possibly the White House?

    Blog text (8)

  • During the game, the coach decided to give the second-stringer an opportunity to play some minutes.

  • As a second-stringer, he always trained hard, hoping for a chance to impress the coach.

  • Even though she was a second-stringer, her enthusiasm encouraged the entire team during practice.

Synonyms

substitute
vssecond-stringer
211 3.2

A person or thing that takes the place of another

is a nonstarter who commonly fills that temporary stepping-in role
reserve
vssecond-stringer
112 3.7

A player who is not a regular starter but can play if needed

is similar but typically plays only briefly as a replacement
stringer
vssecond-stringer
18 8.0

A player who is a regular starter or a backup on a team

is the team member who specifically is not a regular starter
bench warmer
vssecond-stringer
  • Informal
1 6.7

A player on a sports team who rarely plays

is a nonstarter who is expected to serve as an occasional replacement
bencher
vssecond-stringer
  • Jargon
1 7.9

A person who sits on the sidelines and does not play

is a nonstarter who is meant to serve as a backup rather than never play
second string player
vssecond-stringer
3.9

A player who does not start games and replaces starters when needed

is the backup who usually only appears as a temporary replacement

Antonyms

starter
140 3.0

A player who begins the game on the field or court

How Often

starter
140 3.0
second-stringer
  • US
1 7.5
reserve
112 3.7
bench warmer
  • Informal
1 6.7

Surface Forms

second-stringer singular
second-stringers plural

Morphology

second-stringer = second-string (semi-transparent) = second + string + er

The word is transparently built on the established compound 'second-string', but the sports-specific sense is somewhat lexicalized.

Etymology

Second-stringer comes from the sports phrase made of second ('next after the first') and string (like a 'line' or a 'string' of beads showing order). So a second-stringer is a player in the second line, a backup who steps in when a starter cannot play.