A “ringer” is someone or something that is very similar to another person or thing, or a person who is brought in to replace someone, often secretly or unexpectedly. It can also mean a very skilled person who is added to a team or event to improve the result.
In daily life, people use “ringer” in a few common ways. For example, someone might say a player is “a ringer” if that person is much better than the others on the team. It can also mean a phone that is ringing, but that use is less common in everyday speech. The exact meaning depends on the situation.
Meaning & Usage
“Ringer” is often used to describe a person who is put into a game, contest, or group to help it win, usually because they are stronger or more skilled than expected. It can also mean a duplicate or very close match.
Examples
“They brought in a ringer for the softball game.”
“That candidate was a ringer for the old manager.”
“He’s a ringer for his brother.”
Is a ringer always a person?
No. It can describe a person, but it can also mean something that looks very much like another thing.
Is “ringer” a positive or negative word?
It depends. Sometimes it is neutral or even positive, but it can sound unfair if someone is using a ringer to win.
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