fifth wheel

[fifth weel, hweel, fith] / ˈfɪfθ ˈwil, ˈʰwil, ˈfɪθ /

NOUN

somebody or something unnecessary

Synonyms

WEAK

deadwood hanger-on lagniappe spare spare tire superfluity third wheel triviality

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.

“Before the fire you could park a fifth wheel anywhere. Now they’ve made laws,” Munjar said.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2023

The son attempted to back his truck and fifth wheel trailer from the street up the incline of the driveway, Huserik said.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2021

“Great Britain in this matter is a bit of a fifth wheel on the carriage,” Le Drian said in the France 2 interview.

From Washington Post • Sep. 19, 2021

“Gene therapy is taking a fifth wheel and putting it somewhere on the car and hoping it runs. Gene editing is repairing the flat.”

From Scientific American • Jul. 17, 2021

I’m in no hurry to go in there to be a fifth wheel, treated like I’m hopelessly out of it, old-fashioned and humorless, by the freewheeling Richard.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline