benchwarmer

American  

[bench-wawr-mer] / ˈbɛntʃˌwɔr mər /

Or bench warmer,

noun

Sports.

1. a substitute who rarely gets to play in a game.

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Etymology

Origin of benchwarmer

First recorded in 1890–95; bench + warmer ( def. )

Example Sentences

Nine years later, he had helped lead the Dodgers to eight division championships and three World Series appearances while evolving from benchwarmer to legend with his accessibility, inclusivity and homespun charm.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2022

Plenty of players leave high-majors for low-majors, or even lower divisions, where they might go from benchwarmer to starter.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 1, 2022

Brown, the 15th overall pick in 2018, fell out of the Wizards’ rotation this season and Wagner’s role was inconsistent — going from benchwarmer to starter to benchwarmer again.

From Washington Times • Mar. 25, 2021

Imagine the kinds of arguments teams will have after a benchwarmer goes rogue and loses a challenge.

From Slate • Aug. 1, 2019

And yet here he is, a third- string benchwarmer kind of guy, holding the ball for the great Erik Fisher.

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor