WordLens

second

1 of 4adjective
/ˈsɛkənd/
1

being number two in order or time

A2
  • This is his second attempt at solving the puzzle.
  • The second chapter of the book explains the theory.
  • He was the second person to arrive at the meeting.
  • The second day of the conference focused on workshops.
  • He was second in line after Mary.
Synonyms:
2nd2d
2

being of a lower or secondary status, sometimes still important but not the highest

  • The restaurant is second only to the famous one downtown.
  • She always felt like a second priority in the relationship.
  • The port was second in importance only to Rotterdam.
  • While speed matters, accuracy is a close second in importance.
  • Safety is our first priority, cost is a second consideration.
Synonyms:
lower-rankinglowlysubordinatepettylessersecondary
3

happening once in every two occurrences

  • The committee meets every second Tuesday.
  • He visits his grandparents every second weekend.
  • The magazine is published every second month.
  • The festival takes place every second year.
  • She colors her hair every second season.
Synonyms:
alternate
4

finishing immediately after the winner

  • She took second place in the spelling bee.
  • The team won second prize in the competition.
  • They were awarded the second trophy.
  • The runner-up received the second medal.
  • She earned second place in the race.
Synonyms:
runner-up
5

resembling or serving as another version of something famous

  • Critics called him the second Shakespeare of modern literature.
  • The small town was dubbed a second Venice due to its canals.
  • She was hailed as the second Marie Curie for her research.
  • The conflict was feared to become a second World War.
  • The young athlete was seen as a second Serena Williams.
Synonyms:
another
6

referring to a lower or supporting musical role

  • He played second violin in the orchestra.
  • She sings second soprano in the choir.
  • The second trumpet joined in softly behind the soloist.
  • I was placed in the second horn section.
  • The band needed someone for the second guitar part.
Antonyms:
first
7

relating to the position or gear just above first in a sequence of vehicle gears

  • He shifted into second gear as the car gained speed.
  • Second speed is ideal for city traffic.
  • Stay in second gear until you're past the curve.
  • I always stall when I try to switch to second gear too fast.
  • The old car struggled to move out of second gear.
8

(grammar) describing forms that refer to the person being addressed

  • In English, "you" is a second person pronoun.
  • The verb form changes in the second person singular.
  • "Are you coming?" is in the second person.
  • Second person narratives are rare in novels.
  • "You should listen" is a sentence in the second person.