third wheel

American  

[thurd weel, hweel] / ˈθɜrd ˈwil, ˈʰwil /

noun

1. a person or thing that does not belong or is not wanted or needed.

   When my wife’s sister is here the two of them talk up a storm, and I feel like a third wheel.

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Etymology

Origin of third wheel

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Their season rests entirely on the broad shoulders of the team’s willing third wheel.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

He has been forever a third wheel in the sport’s love affair with Federer and Nadal.

From Washington Post • Jan. 6, 2022

Playing the third wheel was Scott Disick, aka the ex of Kourtney Kardashian.

From Fox News • Dec. 20, 2021

"Britain in this whole thing is a bit like the third wheel," he said.

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2021

I walked quickly to catch up, though I was still more or less of a third wheel.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver