stand-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈstand-ˌin How to pronounce stand-in (audio)
Synonyms of stand-innext
1
: someone employed to occupy an actor's place while lights and camera are readied
2
: substitute

stand in

2 of 2

verb

stood in; standing in; stands in

intransitive verb

: to act as a stand-in
see also:
stand in with

Synonyms of stand-in

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Noun

Verb

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Examples of stand-in in a Sentence

Noun hired him at the last minute as a stand-in for the person who quit Verb she will be standing in for the regular teacher for a week
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
No one knows the cautionary tale of Carter’s presidency more than our current president, who has repeatedly used it as a stand-in for presidential failure and American weakness. — S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 Another finds his misery exacerbated by a Christmas spent shooting a war movie opposite its star Brad Pitt’s stand-in, in a rare evocation of how impersonal blockbuster filmmaking has become. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
Premier League clubs should have the depth to temporarily be without some of their key figures, but the opening weeks may produce a league table that bears little resemblance to the one that stands in May. — George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Shifting control That stands in stark contrast to a month ago, when Kpler observed virtually no shipping traffic via the Omani route. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stand-in

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stand-in was in 1904

Rhymes for stand-in

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Browse Nearby Words

standholder
stand-in
stand in
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stand-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stand-in. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stand-in

1 of 2 noun
ˈstan-ˌdin
1
: someone employed to occupy an actor's place while lights and camera are readied
2
: substitute entry 1

stand in

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)stan-ˈdin
: to act as a stand-in
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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