1. people who ring bells, especially church bells
2. people or things that closely resemble others
3. skilled players brought in to strengthen a team
Usage: sports; informal

Examples

• The church ringers practiced every Tuesday evening.
• The twins were dead ringers for each other.
• They brought in some ringers for the championship game.
• She threw three ringers in a row during the horseshoe tournament.
• The bell ringers performed a complex sequence for the wedding.
• He’s a ringer for that famous actor.
• The team was accused of using ringers in the local league.