definitions

stand-in

[ stand-in ]
/ ˈstændˌɪn /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR stand-in ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a substitute for a motion-picture star during the preparation of lighting, cameras, etc., or in dangerous scenes.
any substitute.

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RELATED WORDS

impersonator, star, actor, performer, intermediary, surrogate, stand-in, backup, replacement, proxy, alternate, restoration, reinstatement, artist, character, clown, player, villain, comedian, entertainer

Nearby words

stand up with, stand your ground, stand-alone, stand-by, stand-down, stand-in, stand-off, stand-off half, stand-up, standard, standard amenities

Origin of stand-in

First recorded in 1930–35; noun use of verb phrase stand in
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for stand in

stand in

verb

(intr, adverb usually foll by for) to act as a substitute
stand someone in good stead to be of benefit or advantage to someone

noun stand-in

  1. a person or thing that serves as a substitute
  2. (as modifier)a stand-in teacher
a person who substitutes for an actor during intervals of waiting or in dangerous stunts
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for stand in

stand in

v.

"substitute," 1904, show-biz slang, from stand (v.). As a noun, it is attested from 1928.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper