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Definition of benchwarmer

benchwarmer

/ˈbɛntʃˌwɔːrmər/
bench · warm · er
Plural:benchwarmers
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benchwarmer Lexical Profile

benchwarmer Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A sports player who sits on the sidelines as a reserve and rarely gets to play in the game.

Example

"After months as a frustrated benchwarmer, the rookie finally got his chance to start in the championship game."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for benchwarmer

• Nearby Words

benchmarking
benchpress
benchtop
benchwarmer
bend
bendable
bender

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in late 19th-century American baseball slang, referring humorously to a reserve player whose main contribution during a game is keeping the team's dugout bench warm.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Benchwarmer. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/benchwarmer
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