understudy
verb (used with object)
to learn (a role) in order to replace the regular actor or actress when necessary.
understudied
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past participleof understudy.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof understudy.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
understudyverb (used with object)to learn (a role) in order to replace the regular actor or actress when necessary.
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.
He began studying the Tar Pits' relatively understudied reptile and amphibian collections while working there as a Postdoctoral Fellow.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026
She said it is too new and understudied.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026
But the particulars of Arthur Liu’s pathway—single father by choice via surrogacy—have been largely understudied and, despite those high-profile examples, receive little public attention.
From Slate ● Feb. 23, 2026
He recently analysed just how understudied most other bacteria have been relative to E. coli.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2025
As it turned out, however, Herr Sturm most obligingly understudied for me....
From Red Masquerade by Louis Joseph Vance
