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Synonyms

bit player

American  

noun

  1. an actor having a very small speaking part in a play, motion picture, etc.


Etymology

Origin of bit player

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Xu is a bit player in what has become one of the biggest segments of China’s labor market.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

Rolls-Royce is a bit player in a market that has powerful and successful leaders, and that rival Pratt and Witney lost $8bn trying and failing to break into.

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2025

And without her talent and love, Bono would have likely remained a bit player on the fringes of the entertainment industry.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2024

Back in 2007, Heighberger was a bit player in a relatively trivial, albeit troubling, instance of government deception.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2024

He could have been a bit player on a Saturday morning children’s show.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

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