second-stringer

English

Alternative forms

• second stringer

Etymology

From second string +‎ -er.

Noun

second-stringer (plural second-stringers)

1. A person who plays second string. A person who is kept on a sports team as a backup in case a "first-string" player is unavailable.
2. A person who is not good enough to be considered proficient but may be useful as a backup.