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

Just like tiny art schools or colleges under law enforcement investigations, religious schools cannot be an appropriate stand-in for all higher education. —Derek Newton, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

The 31-year-old joined the 49ers as a stand-in for the injured Greenlaw and had played 12 of 13 games before being benched on Thursday. —Jamie Barton, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

Verb

That figure stands in stark contrast to the pledge by Musk and biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy—who will co-direct DOGE—to slash federal waste and spending. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

At issue is whether the jury’s verdict of finding Trump guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records should stand in light of Trump winning the election. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 12 Dec. 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