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)

• sham
• fake
• fraud
• imposter
• phoney
• pretender
• impostor
• deceiver
• quack

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

In the episode, eight of the nine ringers suffer calamities on the eve of the game which preclude their participation, with Sax held on comically-unfounded suspicion of committing approximately 600 murders in the New York City area. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025

For hair that’s been through the ringer, the treatment mask repairs damage from root to tip, the inside out, and the outside in—regardless of hair type or texture. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

And part of their considerable appeal is in how much Marvin and Covino are willing to put themselves through the ringer. —Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 28 Aug. 2025

Little Jack was also captured sitting on a golf course while sporting a white and yellow ringer tee and black pants. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for ringer

• bringer
• clinger
• dinger
• inger
• slinger
• springer
• stinger
• stringer
• winger
• wringer

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