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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

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

But Stand up to Racism Scotland said the protests were designed to "intimidate people who have fled war, poverty or prosecution".

From BBC • Aug. 25, 2025

In the meantime, museum staff will face tough decisions: Stand up for their work, which could incite a vindictive administration that controls their livelihoods, or compromise their values to protect themselves.

From Slate • Aug. 22, 2025

I have great admiration for Nathaniel Manderson’s recent opinion piece, “My calling as a Christian minister: Stand up against evangelical hypocrisy.”

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2024

Stand up if someone walks in the room.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2023

“That’s more like it Stand up for yourself, that’s the ticket Asking advice is the fatal thing. Besides, I won’t be here to advise you, fairly soon.”

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

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