understudy
Americanverb (used with object)
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to learn (a role) in order to replace the regular actor or actress when necessary.
-
to act as understudy to (an actor or actress).
to understudy the lead.
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
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(tr) to study (a role or part) so as to be able to replace the usual actor or actress if necessary
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to act as understudy to (an actor or actress)
noun
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an actor or actress who studies a part so as to be able to replace the usual actor or actress if necessary
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anyone who is trained to take the place of another in case of need
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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understudysimple
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understudiessimple
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have understudiedperfect
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has understudiedperfect
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am understudyingprogressive
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are understudyingprogressive
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is understudyingprogressive
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have been understudyingperfect progressive
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has been understudyingperfect progressive
Past
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understudiedsimple
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had understudiedperfect
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was understudyingprogressive
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were understudyingprogressive
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had been understudyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of understudy
Explanation
In the theater, an understudy is a backup or alternate for another actor in the play. If the lead in the school play comes down with the flu, her understudy will have a chance to perform the starring role. The show must go on (as they say in show business)—which is why an understudy has an important job. He or she has to learn every line and be ready to fill at the last minute. You can also use this word as a verb, so you might say, "I'm going to understudy the role of Aaron Burr in Hamilton!" An understudy often plays a smaller role in the play as well, filling in for main roles as needed.
Vocabulary lists containing understudy
Theater - Introductory
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Theater - Middle School
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Theater - High School
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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.
See Examples For:
Ashley Cole was cemented as England's first-choice left-back for the 2010 World Cup, but who would go to South Africa as his understudy?
From BBC ● May 21, 2026
When Hiller did, general manager Ken Holland promoted his understudy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2026
Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin did not make the strongest cases for being his understudy in the two friendlies, while Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins was not included in a 35-man squad.
From BBC ● Apr. 1, 2026
He snatched provisional top spot in beautiful, sunny conditions, but could only watch with bated breath as his understudy took to the start hut.
From Barron's ● Feb. 7, 2026
"Maybe Chantal can be my understudy, Kareena?" she asks, her African accent swinging back and forth like a bell.
From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins
They were looking to go undefeated in AFC West games, and got to 5-0 with an array of understudies, particularly along the offensive line.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 4, 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
Alternates, or understudies, are the people on standby to step in if a lead actor falls ill or is otherwise unable to perform.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2024
Observe any understudies for Jane around the place?
From A Certain Rich Man by White, William Allen
She said it is too new and understudied.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026
"The role of astrocytes in central nervous system healing is remarkably understudied," said David Underhill, PhD, chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 13, 2026
He recently analysed just how understudied most other bacteria have been relative to E. coli.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2025
The Bowl granted him three weeks off for rehearsals in July, where he also understudied as Erivo’s Jesus.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2025
And when she wasn't functioning as the ubiquitous wet-blanket, Papa Dupont understudied for her, and did it most efficiently, too.
From Red Masquerade by Vance, Louis Joseph
Although Parker didn’t land the role of Lola when he auditioned for the Toby’s production, the experience of understudying the part and playing one of Lola’s backing dancers left a lasting impact.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 15, 2023
Now graduated, Shavit-Lonstein works two day jobs while “swinging” — understudying multiple roles — in “Winnie the Pooh” at StoryBook Theater in Kirkland.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 6, 2022
It was there where Poitier was given the role of understudying Belafonte in "Days of our Youth."
From Fox News ● Jan. 8, 2022
My fantasy is that the actor I’m understudying books some big Marvel movie.
From New York Times ● Dec. 24, 2021
Lawson, on the lookout for models, had discovered a girl who was understudying at one of the theatres, and in order to induce her to sit to him arranged a little luncheon-party one Sunday.
From Of Human Bondage by Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)
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.
