ringer

1 of 2

noun (1)

ring·​er ˈriŋ-ər 

1

: one that sounds especially by ringing

2

a(1)

: one that enters a competition under false representations

(2)

: imposter, fake

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)

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• charlatan
• fake
• faker
• fakir
• fraud
• hoaxer
• humbug
• impostor
• imposter
• mountebank
• phony
• phoney
• pretender
• quack
• quacksalver
• sham

Examples of ringer in a Sentence

Noun (1)

no one was more surprised than the defendant when his lawyer turned out to be a ringer

he's a dead ringer for his grandfather

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

He’s been put through the ringer and turned inside out. —James Grebey, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024

Popular on Variety Some of his cast aren’t even comedians by trade, such as Cory Michael Smith, the young Chevy Chase ringer, who’s acted mostly in Todd Haynes movies until now. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Sep. 2024

Here are the highlights: VP Debate 2024 Cold Open Now that the season premiere got the introductions out of the way, SNL’s farm team of election-year ringers can actually play ball. —Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2024

Nader selected a metallic knitwear set by Casablanca, which consisted of a ringer polo top and a matching miniskirt. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1834, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ringer

• dead ringer
• ringer tee
• ringer T-shirt

Kids Definition

ringer

1 of 2 noun

ring·​er ˈriŋ-ər 

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