noun

ringer

RIH-nguh

noun

A person or thing that closely resembles someone or something else, often used to deceive.

"He hired a ringer to take the exam for him."

A person or device that rings a bell.

"The old phone had a loud mechanical ringer."

How to Use Ringer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who looks just like another person, often brought in to cheat or substitute, or something that rings.

Common mistake

The phrase "dead ringer" means an exact look-alike — the "dead" means "exact," not related to death.

Common pairings

dead ringer for

ringers plural, ringers plural, ringers plural, ringers plural, ringers plural, ringers plural, Ringers plural

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He hired a _____ to take the exam for him.

From "ring" (as in to ring a bell) plus "-er," originally someone who rang bells.

Inger finger ginger singer winger linger zinger wringer stinger swinger bringer Klinger