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
He is confronted by two military types who put him through the ringer with questions and checking out his car. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 18 May 2025 In the early 2010’s, three of the department’s top brass got demoted over a cheating scandal when the Transit Services Bureau team swapped out one team member for a ringer. Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025 In addition to landing this role, the 23 year-old just played a part in Alien Romulus (ironically across from older Ellie ringer Cailee Spaeny). Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 All handle their vocal duties well, but Barasch, who made his Broadway debut at 10 in the 2009 revival of West Side Story, is the ringer here. Greg Evans, Deadline, 24 Apr. 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 29 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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