ringer

1 of 2

noun (1)

ring·​er ˈriŋ-ər How to pronounce ringer (audio)
1
: one that sounds especially by ringing
2
a(1)
: one that enters a competition under false representations
(2)
b
: one that strongly resembles another
often used with dead
he's a dead ringer for the senator

ringer

2 of 2

noun (2)

: one that encircles or puts a ring around (such as a quoit or horseshoe that lodges so as to surround the peg)

Examples of ringer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Broderick, too, put Zwick through the ringer, bringing his mother in to demand extensive changes in the screenplay and rake Zwick over the coals. Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2024 This lure is available in several sizes, but many anglers agree the smaller 2 1/2- and 3 1/8-inch models are the ringers of the group. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024 That can be a tricky task, but the research team had a ringer: Maya Sears, a citizen scientist in Seattle who spent years learning the art of orca identification. Emily Anthes, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2023 Colors like School Bus and Chicken Scratch have become iconic in the Northeast striper scene, but the solid-black model can be considered the true ringer of the Long A family. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024 This can happen, especially with older folks who forget to turn their ringers off. Gloria Calderón Kellett, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2023 And scene-stealing Santa Rex — a Salvation Army bell ringer with artificial limbs who’s played by world-record-holding Paralympian/advocate Blake Leeper — demonstrates the power of perseverance. Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 8 Dec. 2023 Sitting alone on the band’s bus, his long hair strewn about his ringer T-shirt and his glasses catching the reflection of his laptop screen, Martin appears weary and apologizes for a slight bronchial cough. Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 25 Oct. 2023 There’s a young Kevin Bacon wearing a ringer tee and short denim cutoffs. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ringer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ringer was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near ringer

Cite this Entry

“Ringer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ringer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ringer

1 of 2 noun
ring·​er ˈriŋ-ər How to pronounce ringer (audio)
1
: one that sounds especially by ringing
2
a
: one that enters a competition with a false identity
b
: one that strongly resembles another
often used with dead
a dead ringer for the senator

ringer

2 of 2 noun
: a quoit or horseshoe that falls right over a peg

More from Merriam-Webster on ringer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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