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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.

See Examples For:

Experts say 2025 heralds the Grinch’s ascent from Yuletide bit player to Christmas A-lister.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 25, 2025

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

But South Africa’s leader was nothing more than a bit player in this tableau, while the white Afrikaners under supposed threat of extermination didn’t even get speaking parts.

From Salon May 25, 2025

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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