Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- v. To study or know (a role) so as to be able to replace the regular performer when required.
- v. To act as an understudy to.
- v. To be engaged in studying a role so as to be able to replace the regular performer when required.
- n. A performer who understudies.
- n. A person trained to do the work of another.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. Theat., one who has made a special study of a particular part, and is capable of playing that part at a moment's notice in the absence of the actor or actress to whom it is usually assigned.
- To memorize (a part) as an understudy.
Wiktionary
- v. to study or know a role to such an extent as to be able to replace the normal performer when required
- v. to act as an understudy (to someone)
- n. a performer who understudies; a standby
GNU Webster's 1913
- v. (Theater) To study, as another actor's part, in order to be his substitute in an emergency; to study another actor's part.
- n. One who studies another's part with a view to assuming it in an emergency.
WordNet 3.0
- n. an actor able to replace a regular performer when required
- v. be an understudy or alternate for a role
Etymologies
- under- + study (Wiktionary)
Examples
“With Almunia rated doubtful for Sunday's trip to Stamford Bridge, his former understudy is on stand-by.”
The Guardian: Lukasz Fabianski ready to unseat Manuel Almunia as Arsenal No1 keeper
“If he dies or explodes in scandal, Hannity or some other understudy is waiting in the wings.”
“Bridge has been the long-term understudy to Ashley Cole for England's left-back position, and with the Chelsea defender ruled out for three months after breaking his ankle at Everton on Wednesday would seem to be first in line to take his place in the team.”
“He had carefully coached Miss Francklyn to play the part of unsuspected "understudy" -- Susan saw that before they had been seated in Jack's ten minutes.”
“I've also been a last-minute 'understudy' - once up at”
“WASHINGTON (AP) -- The classic rock band Yes, which was forced to cancel their 40th anniversary tour this year due to the illness of its lead singer, has decided to relaunch the tour with an "understudy" -- a Yes tribute band singer.”
“Her understudy was a little sassy pants with a face full of braces named Jillian Highsmith.”
“Barber backed up Julius Jones the last several years, but the understudy was the star.”
“understudy" -- Susan saw that before they had been seated in”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘understudy’.
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How low can you go?
A list of words that does the opposite of raising the bar
underscore, underwear, underachiever, underrated, underbite, undercapitalization, undercharged, underfloor, underground, underexposed, underfed, underboss and 105 more...
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mango22's Words
avalanche, apple, arrividerci, awry, adamant, asunder, barter, beloved, calm, cataclysmic, catastrophe, coat and 143 more...
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ari
words
craven, perennial, incumbent, infraction, truancy, foreboding, missgiving, understudy, upkeep, withdrawal, retreat, underscore and 95 more...
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2008 Wordlist
Hopefully, I'll be using this site for more than one year. It will be fun then to look back and see what new words I found worthy of notice in any given year.
All words spotted in 2008...longanimity, permalancer, breeder, biodegradable, handicapable, gender-neutral, translator, interpreter, translation, interpreting, kleptocracy, fanfiction and 1598 more...
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words that sound cool
avalanche, awry, adamant, asunder, barter, cataclysmic, catastrophe, cavity, country, churn, church, dabble and 63 more...
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strong words
powerful, pomegranate, ransom, ruther, sleet, tank, torture, tension, understudy, vanquish, writhe, wild and 7 more...
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ABC
words which contain a string of three or more consecutive letters
crabcake, student, definitive, coughing, understudy, afghan, rijksmuseum, calmness, canopy, pop quiz, tuvalu, hijinks and 21 more...
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favorites
magnanimous, aujourd'hui, lilac, sobriquet, lunch, soliloquy, rhinoceros, snafu, rather, snack, crinoline, millinery and 58 more...
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zilch's Words
saturnine, punctum, cantankerous, crenel, festoon, sophistry, ersatz, kismet, esprit, crepuscular, pulchritude, chthonic and 52 more...
Tweets
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