stand-up

1 of 3

adjective

ˈstand-ˌəp 

1

a

: erect, upright

b

: stiffened to stay upright without folding over

a stand-up collar

2

: performed in, performing in, or requiring a standing position

a stand-up bar

especially : of, relating to, performing, or being a monologue of jokes, gags, or satirical comments delivered usually while standing alone on a stage or in front of a camera

stand-up comedy

a stand-up comedian

3

: marked by a high degree of personal integrity or loyalty

a stand-up guy

stand-up

2 of 3

noun

1

: stand-up comedy

also : a performer of such comedy

2

: a television broadcast in which the reporter or narrator faces the camera with the scene of the story in the background

stand up

3 of 3

verb

stood up; standing up; stands up

intransitive verb

1

: to rise to a standing position

2

: to remain sound and intact under stress, attack, or close scrutiny

transitive verb

: to fail to keep an appointment with

Phrases

stand up for

: to defend against attack or criticism

stand up to

1

: to meet fairly and fully

2

: to face boldly

stand up with

: to be best man or maid of honor for at a wedding ceremony

Synonyms

Adjective

• decent
• ethical
• honest
• honorable
• just
• noble
• principled
• respectable
• righteous
• upright
• upstanding

Verb

• fly
• hold up
• pass
• wash

Examples of stand-up in a Sentence

Adjective

a real stand-up guy, he's willing to raise the child—by himself if necessary

a puppy with stand-up ears

Verb

a hypothesis that won't stand up to close analysis

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Kabir Singh, a stand-up comedian best known for making it to the semifinals of America's Got Talent season 16 in 2021, has died. —Christian Holub, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Jamie Foxx is set to speak about his 2023 hospitalization in his upcoming Netflix stand-up special. —Peter White, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2024

Noun

In this post-season glow, performing stand-up across the country, the two cast members were about to conjure two of their most popular characters on the show. —Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2023

Kemp’s infectious smile and, by all accounts, stand-up status as a teammate put him on the list. —James Yasko, Chron, 24 Mar. 2023

Verb

Be louder, stand up taller, stand in front of people who are more at risk and continue to fight this fight. —Jeff Conway, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Sam’s vote gets blocked (by Rachel), but when Jeff calls for advantages, Rachel stands up to play her idol and Sam is shooketh. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Noun

1954, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

stand up

verb

1

: to rise to a standing position

2

: to remain in good condition

stands up to repeated washings

3

: to fail to keep an appointment with