stand-in

American  

[stand-in] / ˈstændˌɪn /

noun

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

2. any substitute.

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stand in British  

verb

1. to act as a substitute

2. to be of benefit or advantage to someone

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noun

1. 1. a person or thing that serves as a substitute

   2. ( as modifier )

      a stand-in teacher

2. 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

And two Americans: Kenyon, a wry, observant, skeptical humanist sculptor, perhaps a stand-in for Hawthorne himself; and Hilda, a New England Puritan painter—self-possessed, pious, unswervingly loyal, pure as a flight of doves.

From The Wall Street Journal

Petrecca had been a last-minute stand-in, because the original commentator was dropped for revealing a "sensational surprise" element of the ceremony by mistake.

From BBC

Following Merino’s resignation, centrist academic Francisco Sagasti was appointed stand-in president and led the country until planned elections in 2021 -- becoming the only recent leader to complete his intended term, even an interim one.

From Barron's

"It's very disappointing to go out in this fashion but it's completely uncontrollable," said Ireland stand-in skipper Lorcan Tucker.

From BBC

"Wow! This is my third nomination, I was kind of feeling like a Leonardo DiCaprio stand-in," he said, referring to the Hollywood star's long wait for his Oscar.

From Barron's

Related Words

• alternate