stand-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈstand-ˌin 

1

: someone employed to occupy an actor's place while lights and camera are readied

2

: substitute

stand in

2 of 2

verb

stood in; standing in; stands in

intransitive verb

: to act as a stand-in

Phrases

stand in with

: to be in a specially favored position with

Synonyms

Noun

• backup
• cover
• designated hitter
• fill-in
• locum tenens
• pinch hitter
• relief
• replacement
• reserve
• sub
• substitute

Verb

• cover
• fill in
• pinch-hit
• step in
• sub
• substitute
• take over

Examples of stand-in in a Sentence

Noun

hired him at the last minute as a stand-in for the person who quit

Verb

she will be standing in for the regular teacher for a week

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the movie, a youthful Tom Hanks plays the college student who becomes obsessed with Mazes and Monsters (a stand-in title for Dungeons & Dragons). —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2024

The Five-Star Maui hotel, a paradise stand-in in the show’s first season, offered audiences stunning shots of the infinity pool, cotton-candy sunsets and turquoise waters. —Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024

Verb

This omission seems to stand in stark contrast to today’s economic reality. —Jon Helgi Egilsson, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024

Now, the physical walls along the border of his native Tijuana — and the legal restrictions preventing his reentry — stood in his way. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1904, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

stand-in

1 of 2 noun

ˈstan-ˌdin

1

: someone employed to occupy an actor's place while lights and camera are readied

2

: substitute entry 1

stand in

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)stan-ˈdin

: to act as a stand-in