un·der·study
ˈən-dər-ˌstə-dē 
ˌən-dər-ˈstə-
understudied; understudying; understudies
: to study another actor's part in order to substitute in an emergency
: to prepare (a part or character) as understudy
also
: to prepare as understudy to (an actor)
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
Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
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
Mandalit Del Barco, NPR, 12 Oct. 2025
After studying acting at Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, Keaton was cast as the understudy for the character of Sheila in the original Broadway production of Hair in 1968.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understudy
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Verb
However, the contract fell short of all that the union wanted to achieve and members continued to voice concerns about the demands placed on swings, or actors who understudy several ensemble roles, among other issues.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
After studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse in the 1960's, Keaton ended up an understudy in the original Broadway production of the rock musical Hair.
—Mandalit Del Barco, NPR, 12 Oct. 2025
After studying acting at Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, Keaton was cast as the understudy for the character of Sheila in the original Broadway production of Hair in 1968.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understudy
Cite this Entry
“Understudy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understudy. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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