second fiddle

Other forms: second fiddles

Definitions of second fiddle
  1. noun
    a secondary role or function
    “he hated to play second fiddle to anyone”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    function, office, part, role
    the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group
  2. noun
    someone who serves in a subordinate capacity or plays a secondary role
    synonyms: second banana
    see moresee less
    type of:
    foot soldier, subordinate, subsidiary, underling
    an assistant subject to the authority or control of another
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

A paragraph of text

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘second fiddle'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family
EDITOR'S CHOICE

Look up second fiddle for the last time

Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.

Start your vocabulary training
VocabTrainer - Vocabulary.com's Vocabulary Trainer