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

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Etymology

Origin of third wheel

First recorded in 1900–05

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

third wheel

Patrick became a third wheel in their life as a couple, joining them for dates and trips out of town.

From New York Times ● Oct. 20, 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

No big deal if you’re busy, but let me know if you want to save me from the whole third wheel thing.

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

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