Phrase guide

second string

adj · noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Not as good; of a lower quality or condition.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I got a new pair of shoes, so I think I'll use the old, second string pair in my garden.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A unit of players which is considered to have a secondary level of talent and which usually plays after the first string.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a squad of players that are available either individually or as a team to relieve or replace the players who started the game

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: team, squad

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.