stand-in
Americannoun
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a substitute for a motion-picture star during the preparation of lighting, cameras, etc., or in dangerous scenes.
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any substitute.
verb
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to act as a substitute
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to be of benefit or advantage to someone
noun
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a person or thing that serves as a substitute
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( as modifier )
a stand-in teacher
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a person who substitutes for an actor during intervals of waiting or in dangerous stunts
Etymology
Origin of stand-in
First recorded in 1930–35; noun use of verb phrase stand in
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their stand-in renditions spared livestock and human attendants from sacrifice.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
Brendon has an identical twin brother named Kelly Donovan, who appeared as his stand-in and double in episodes of “Buffy.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026
Baseball is an easy stand-in for America, and vice versa.
From Salon • Mar. 18, 2026
"It's very disappointing to go out in this fashion but it's completely uncontrollable," said Ireland stand-in skipper Lorcan Tucker.
From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026
Although I had no doubts about the young man, I asked my friend and legal adviser George Bizos to be a stand-in for me.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
