understudy

1 of 2

verb

un·​der·​study ˈən-dər-ˌstə-dē 

ˌən-dər-ˈstə-

understudied; understudying; understudies

intransitive verb

: to study another actor's part in order to substitute in an emergency

transitive verb

: to prepare (a part or character) as understudy

also : to prepare as understudy to (an actor)

understudy

2 of 2

noun

un·​der·​study ˈən-dər-ˌstə-dē 

: one who is prepared to act another's part or take over another's duties

Examples of understudy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Amid the growing bedbug panic, Pietri wasn’t the only scientist who started wondering whether bedbugs’ potential as disease vectors had been understudied. —Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024

Yet experts say pollen has been understudied in Arizona. —Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 21 Sep. 2024

Noun

If the Egypt international signs a new deal, Doak could become his understudy, although the signing of Federico Chiesa knocked him down the pecking order. —Andy Jones, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025

With the leadership mantle passing from the former president to his understudy, Mondale offered a laudatory summation of the Carter administration. —Mark Barabak, The Mercury News, 1 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1874, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

understudy

verb

un·​der·​study

ˈən-dər-ˌstəd-ē,

ˌən-dər-ˈstəd-ē

: to study another actor's part in order to be his or her substitute in an emergency

understudy noun