third wheel

American  

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

noun

third wheels plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• third wheels
  plural

Etymology

Origin of third wheel

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

third wheel

And while there’s plenty to be gained as a third-wheeler, couples also find value in having a third wheel join them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2022

Step forward, Juan Gris: the eternal third wheel in Picasso and Braque’s classic rivalry, who graduates here to the TKO champion of Cubist illusion.

From New York Times ● Nov. 11, 2022

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

For as long as I can remember, she’s tried to drag a third wheel into our perfect little mix.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy