second-string adjective 4second string noun 1forms 1 adjective4 •Not as good; of a lower quality or condition.I got a new pair of shoes, so I think I'll use the old, second string pair in my garden. •second most importantHaving worked so hard to reach the Champions League, elimination will be a bitter blow for Mancini and City as they join neighbours United in Europe's second-string competition. — 2011 •belonging to the second string of a team •substitute or replacement second string noun1 •A unit of players which is considered to have a secondary level of talent and which usually plays after the first string. formssecond strings
