understudy
verb (used with object)
to learn (a role) in order to replace the regular actor or actress when necessary.
understudies
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pluralof understudy.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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present tense formof understudy (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
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.
Gardner makes his job look easy, but he says his understudies accused him of downplaying just how challenging it can be.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
England have already lost Will Stuart and Asher Opoku-Fordjour for the Six Nations leaving Vilikesa 'Billy' Sela and Trevor Davison, who have three caps between them, as understudies to Joe Heyes at tight-head.
From BBC ● Jan. 27, 2026
Viewers watch as Jeanine intellectualizes each character’s motivations and inner thoughts, dictating them to the performers onstage and their understudies.
From Salon ● Mar. 12, 2025
His understudies, Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman, are arguably better than any other goalie in the tournament.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2025
I had understudies as a matter of course.
From Memoirs of an American Prima Donna by Clara Louise Kellogg
