noun
ringer
RIH-nguh
Ringer (noun) means a person or thing that closely resembles someone or something else, often used to deceive. Example: “He hired a ringer to take the exam for him.”
noun
1
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."
2
A person or device that rings a bell.
"The old phone had a loud mechanical ringer."
How to use ringer
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- ringers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He hired a _____ to take the exam for him.
Etymology
From "ring" (as in to ring a bell) plus "-er," originally someone who rang bells.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for ringer
See all rhymes for ringer →Frequently asked questions
What does “ringer” mean?
The word “ringer” means a person or thing that closely resembles someone or something else, often used to deceive. In plain terms, someone who looks just like another person, often brought in to cheat or substitute, or something that rings.
How do you pronounce “ringer”?
“Ringer” is pronounced RIH-nguh (/ˈɹɪŋə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “ringer” in a sentence?
Here is “ringer” used in a sentence: “He hired a ringer to take the exam for him.”
What part of speech is “ringer”?
“Ringer” is a noun.
How many meanings does “ringer” have?
“Ringer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person or thing that closely resembles someone or something else, often used to deceive.
