second banana: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial. Often used in entertainment, business, and political contexts.
Quick answer
What does “second banana” mean?
A person who holds a secondary or subordinate position, typically providing support to a leader or main figure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who holds a secondary or subordinate position, typically providing support to a leader or main figure; the sidekick or deputy.
In comedy duos, the straight man who feeds lines to the main comedian; any person in a supporting role who is not the primary focus or decision-maker.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in American show business. While understood in the UK, it is less commonly used and may be perceived as an Americanism.
Connotations
Both varieties understand the subordinate, often comic, connotation. In the US, it can be used more broadly for any number two.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English, particularly in media and political commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “second banana” in a Sentence
[Person/Group] + play/act as/be + second banana + to + [Person/Group][Person/Group] + is/are + the + second bananaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “second banana” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- He spent years as the amiable second banana on the popular panel show.
- In the political drama, she refused to be anyone's second banana.
American English
- He's tired of being the second banana and wants his own show.
- The vice-president is often seen as the president's second banana.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a COO or vice-president who supports the CEO.
Academic
Rare. Might be used metaphorically in discussions of power structures.
Everyday
Used to describe someone who is always in a supporting role to a friend, partner, or sibling.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “second banana”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “second banana”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “second banana”
- Using 'second banana' in formal writing.
- Confusing 'second banana' with 'second fiddle'—the latter is more common and less tied to comedy.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be, depending on context. It often implies a lack of primary authority or recognition, which can be seen as dismissive. However, in comedy, it describes a specific and respected role.
Rarely. It is almost exclusively used for people or sometimes groups/teams in a supporting role.
'Sidekick' implies a closer, more personal partnership and is used beyond comedy (e.g., superhero sidekick). 'Second banana' has stronger roots in performance and can imply a more formal or organisational hierarchy.
Yes, the pattern can be extended humorously (third banana, fourth banana), but these are much less common and not established idioms.
A person who holds a secondary or subordinate position, typically providing support to a leader or main figure.
Second banana is usually informal, colloquial. often used in entertainment, business, and political contexts. in register.
Second banana: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsek.ənd bəˈnɑː.nə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsek.ənd bəˈnæn.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “play second fiddle (similar meaning)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a comedy duo: the 'top banana' gets the biggest laughs, while the 'second banana' is the next one in the bunch, important but not the main attraction.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIERARCHY IS A BUNCH OF BANANAS (with the top being most important).
Practice
Quiz
In which context did the term 'second banana' originate?