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

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

Largely because of that, Doby’s subsequent turnaround in 1948, from benchwarmer to catalyst of Cleveland’s last World Series championship club, became one of the most meaningful stories of baseball’s postwar era.

From Washington Post • Jul. 4, 2021

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

I’ll probably be a benchwarmer on the C squad while Bowdy goes on to all-state glory and fame.

From "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie