second banana

noun

: a comedian who plays a supporting role to a top banana
broadly : a person in a subservient position

Examples of second banana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Towns might be better off as a second banana than a No. 1 option anyway. Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024 Riley emerges as an extremely realistic teenage character, one who probably deserves better than being the second banana to a bunch of muppety emotions. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 14 June 2024 First introduced in the ’60s, the Teen Titans are a group of superpowered young ‘uns traditionally led by Batman’s second banana Robin, fighting alongside heroes like Cyborg, Raven, Starfire and Beast Boy. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 Just as Lone Ranger needed Tonto, so many pop culture icons wouldn't have half their appeal without these top-notch second bananas — see why Chewbacca, Turtle, Willow, and more made the cut. Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for second banana 

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of second banana was in 1953

Dictionary Entries Near second banana

Cite this Entry

“Second banana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second%20banana. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on second banana

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!