Synonyms

third wheel

American

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

noun

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.

Etymology

Origin of third wheel

First recorded in 1900–05

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.

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

I felt like a third wheel, but in the best way.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 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

“I knew it. I’m totally going to be the third wheel tomorrow.”

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023