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

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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Etymology

Origin of stand-up

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

Example Sentences

He has established himself as a critically acclaimed touring stand-up and a regular on comedy panel shows.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Allen, a stand-up comic himself before he became a program producer and the owner of a TV station group and the Weather Channel, said he still writes some of the jokes for his programs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Many stand-up comics say the show provides significant exposure and can boost a career.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, she said talking about IVF treatment in her stand-up comedy routines "feels like a positive way to talk about something that people feel very isolated in".

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

Only thing worse than a stand-up talk is a sit-down talk.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Related Words

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