understudy

American  

[uhn-der-stuhd-ee] / ˈʌn dərˌstʌd i /

verb (used with object)

understudies, present (3rd person singular) understudied, past participle, past understudying present participle

1. to learn (a role) in order to replace the regular actor or actress when necessary.

2. to act as understudy to (an actor or actress).

   to understudy the lead.

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verb (used without object)

understudies, present (3rd person singular) understudied, past participle, past understudying present participle

1. to act or work as an understudy.

noun

understudies plural

1. a performer who learns the role of another in order to serve as a replacement if necessary.

understudy British  

/ ˈʌndəˌstʌdɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to study (a role or part) so as to be able to replace the usual actor or actress if necessary

2. to act as understudy to (an actor or actress)

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noun

1. an actor or actress who studies a part so as to be able to replace the usual actor or actress if necessary

2. anyone who is trained to take the place of another in case of need

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• understudies
  plural

Participles

• understudying
  present
• understudied
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• understudy
  simple
• understudies
  simple
• have understudied
  perfect
• has understudied
  perfect
• are understudying
  progressive
• am understudying
  progressive
• is understudying
  progressive
• have been understudying
  perfect progressive
• has been understudying
  perfect progressive

Past

• understudied
  simple
• had understudied
  perfect
• was understudying
  progressive
• were understudying
  progressive
• had been understudying
  perfect progressive

Future

• will understudy
  simple
• will have understudied
  perfect
• will be understudying
  progressive
• will have been understudying
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of understudy

First recorded in 1870–75; under- + study

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.

Example Sentences

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

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

Simply going to the Games as an understudy to Chen’s leading role would have been valuable experience.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 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

Therefore I propose that someone with a keen sense of the theatrical, a talent for mimicry and improvising dialogue—a playwright, perhaps?—be engaged as an understudy to the ghost, as it were.”

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• backup
• stand-in