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• stand-up
  stand-up

  adjective

  standing erect or upright, as a collar.
• stand up
  stand up

  verb

  (intr) to rise to the feet

stand-up

American  

[stand-uhp] / ˈstændˌʌp /

Or standup

adjective

1. standing erect or upright, as a collar.

2. performed, taken, etc., while one stands.

   a stand-up meal.

3. designed for or requiring a standing position.

   a stand-up lunch counter.

4. (of a fight) characterized by the rapid exchange of many blows with little attention given to defensive maneuvering.

5. (of a person) characterized by an erect or bold stance.

6. Baseball. (of a double or triple) pertaining to a hit that allows the hitter to reach the base safely without having to slide.

7. relating to or noting a performance by a comedian delivering a monologue while alone on the stage.

   stand-up comedy;

   the best stand-up comics.

8. Slang. loyal and dependable.

   He seems to be a real stand-up guy.

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noun

stand-ups plural

1. comedy in which a comedian delivers a monologue while alone on the stage.

   We bought tickets to see some stand-up at a club downtown.

2. a comedian who delivers such monologues.

   I've been a stand-up for about five years.

stand up British  

verb

1. (intr) to rise to the feet

2. (intr) to resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc

3. informal (tr) to fail to keep an appointment with, esp intentionally

4. 1. to support, side with, or defend

   2. to serve as best man for (the groom) at a wedding

5. 1. to confront or resist courageously

   2. to withstand or endure (wear, criticism, etc)

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adjective

1. having or being in an erect position

   a stand-up collar

2. done, performed, taken, etc, while standing

   a stand-up meal

3. (of comedy or a comedian) performed or performing solo

4. informal (of a boxer) having an aggressive style without much leg movement

   a stand-up fighter

noun

1. a stand-up comedian

2. stand-up comedy

stand up Idioms  

1. Remain valid, sound, or durable, as in His claim will not stand up in court , or Our old car stood up well over time . [Mid-1900s]

2. Fail to keep a date or appointment with, as in Al stood her up twice in the past week, and that will be the end of their relationship . [ Colloquial ; c. 1900] Also see stand up for ; stand up to ; stand up with .

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• stand-ups
  plural

Etymology

Origin of stand-up

First recorded in 1580–90; adjective and noun use of verb phrase stand up

Example Sentences

"Hacks," the tale of a stand-up comedian trying to revive her career and the dysfunctional millennial assistant who helps her, leads the way with 24 nominations.

From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026

The fourth wall is broken in stand-up comedy the second you walk on stage.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026

Since his supposed cancellation, he’s self-produced several stand-up specials, including 2020’s “Sincerely Louis C.K.,” which won a Grammy for best comedy album.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026

Coughlan said Crawley-born stand-up Ranganathan, who is vegan and initially became a supporter of the business because of its range of plant-based products, had been "amazing".

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026

I think, Being a father is like being a stand-up comic in an empty room.

From "The Misfits" by James Howe

Related Words

• bear
• endure
• exist
• get through
• handle
• keep
• last
• live
• recover
• remain
• ride out
• subsist
• suffer
• sustain
• weather
• withstand