stand-up
adjective
standing erect or upright, as a collar.
stand-up
American
[stand-uhp]
/ ˈstændˌʌp /
Or
standup
adjective
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standing erect or upright, as a collar.
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performed, taken, etc., while one stands.
a stand-up meal.
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designed for or requiring a standing position.
a stand-up lunch counter.
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(of a fight) characterized by the rapid exchange of many blows with little attention given to defensive maneuvering.
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(of a person) characterized by an erect or bold stance.
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Baseball. (of a double or triple) pertaining to a hit that allows the hitter to reach the base safely without having to slide.
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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.
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Slang. loyal and dependable.
He seems to be a real stand-up guy.
noun
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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.
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a comedian who delivers such monologues.
I've been a stand-up for about five years.
stand up
British
verb
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(intr) to rise to the feet
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(intr) to resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc
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informal (tr) to fail to keep an appointment with, esp intentionally
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to support, side with, or defend
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to serve as best man for (the groom) at a wedding
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-
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to confront or resist courageously
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to withstand or endure (wear, criticism, etc)
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adjective
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having or being in an erect position
a stand-up collar
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done, performed, taken, etc, while standing
a stand-up meal
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(of comedy or a comedian) performed or performing solo
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informal (of a boxer) having an aggressive style without much leg movement
a stand-up fighter
noun
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a stand-up comedian
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stand-up comedy
stand up
Idioms
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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]
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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 .
Etymology
Origin of stand-up
First recorded in 1580–90; adjective and noun use of verb phrase stand up
Vocabulary lists containing stand-up
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.
The only way to beat a bully is to stand up.
From Slate • May 18, 2026
“The clouds over the Ochils are purple and bruised looking and the shadows are deep grey,” Lindsay observes of winter returning to mountains and hedgerows “battered by rain and never going to stand up again.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
“As it had been, so it still was,” the narrator observes, “when it came time to stand up and be men, those who got to their feet were the women.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
"There are certain judges who, if they're on the case, you kind of stand up a little bit straighter," said Edelson.
From BBC • May 6, 2026
“Well, your dyedushka and I figured a girl brave enough to stand up to a mad Varangian probably deserves a space for herself. Don’t you think?”
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
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.
