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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Cheadle and Benicio del Toro are both strong in the dual lead roles, while the cast is full of ringers, from Jon Hamm to Brendan Fraser to Julia Fox in a scene-stealing comedic role. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025 But the ability to set eligibility rules, the NCAA might assert, is fundamental to ensuring that college sports are played by college students who are like their classmates–and not aging ringers who never leave school. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Mar. 2025 In his time on the show, the character was put through the ringer – a violent attack, a divorce, a number of devastating patient losses, an awkward facial hair phase. Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025 The Oscars went with a ringer for the 97th ceremony. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ringer

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ringer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ringer. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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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