understudy

1 of 2

verb

un·​der·​study ˈən-dər-ˌstə-dē 

ˌən-dər-ˈstə-

understudied; understudying; understudies

intransitive verb

: to study another actor's part in order to substitute in an emergency

transitive verb

: to prepare (a part or character) as understudy

also : to prepare as understudy to (an actor)

understudy

2 of 2

noun

un·​der·​study ˈən-dər-ˌstə-dē 

: one who is prepared to act another's part or take over another's duties

Examples of understudy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But what has been unclear is what will happen to the intensity of these storms, which have tended to be understudied, Mann said. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 14 July 2025

What has been observed in Iceland has been understudied elsewhere. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 July 2025

Noun

It was widely assumed that Moore — Dillon Gabriel’s understudy last season — would be the Ducks quarterback this season, but coach Dan Lanning did not publicly name a starter before the game. —Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025

On Saturday, the understudies got some run too, with Calabasas freshman King Miller scoring on a 75-yard run and freshman backup QB Husan Longstreet scoring on runs of 5 and 17 yards. —Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1874, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for understudy

• bloody
• buddy
• cuddy
• muddy
• ruddy
• scudi
• study
• restudy

Kids Definition

understudy

verb

un·​der·​study

ˈən-dər-ˌstəd-ē,

ˌən-dər-ˈstəd-ē

: to study another actor's part in order to be his or her substitute in an emergency

understudy noun