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first-string

first-string

5 6.0
A main player who regularly starts games and is not a substitute
  • adjective
  • /ˈfɜrstˌstrɪŋ/
translation icon : titular
  • The doctors told me I'd have to quit sports for at least a couple ofyears, if not forever, which meant no first-string quarterback in the fall.
  • first-string quarterback
  • first-string offense
  • first-string team

Examples

  • True freshman running back J.C. Coleman has taken over the first-string role and is averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

    Blog text (31)
  • The instructors of each of these core courses were enthusiastic members of the first-string assessment team.

    Academic text (2012)
  • You know, I was first-string quarterback in my high school.

  • As a high school sophomore, I was a first-string pitcher on the team.

    Blog text (17)
  • Danny beat him out for first-string quarterback that year, and that planted the seed of hate in Tony.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • And now, our hometown hero... ...first-string quarterback, Jake Wyler!

  • My guess is that the Bulldog offense looks workmanlike but effective, and that the first-string defense looks generally effective.

    Blog text (16)
  • Whenever possible, send first-string members of the accreditation team to appropriate seminars, AACSB and otherwise.

    Academic text (2012)
  • But it was just fate—bad timing—because the next year, Coach kicked Danny off the team for insubordination, and Tony could have had his first-string job back if he had still been in school.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The coach announced that Lisa made the first-string team for the basketball season.

Antonyms

A player who does not usually play but replaces others when needed

How Regular

first-string
5 6.0
reserve
112 3.7
substitute
211 3.2

Surface Forms

first-string positive

Morphology

first-string = first + string (semi-transparent) = first + string

The components 'first' + 'string' are form-identifiable, but 'string' meaning 'lineup' or 'team selection' is idiomatic and may not be obvious to learners.

Etymology

First-string comes from the parts first ('main') and string ('line' or 'row' of things'). So, the first-string players are the main starters, the regular lineup, not the substitutes.