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

Breaking out as a stand-in for a young Steven Spielberg in his Universal film The Fabelmans, he’s also been seen in titles like Snack Shack and The Predator, as well as Showtime’s American Gigolo. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024

In this case, that prize was a bronze owl buried as a stand-in for a more precious version forged from 6 pounds 10 oz of gold and 15 pounds 7 oz of silver with diamond chips encrusted onto its face. —Martin Lerma, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024

Verb

Analysts standing in front of a big electronic board counting votes and breaking them down state by state, county by county, in granular detail have now become an election night staple. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024

During the 2020 election, Rudd made headlines for handing out cookies to people standing in the rain while waiting to vote in Brooklyn, N.Y. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 5 Nov. 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