stand-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈstand-ˌin 

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

Noun

• substitute
• replacement

Verb

• substitute
• fill in
• step in
• take over

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

Noun

The snake charmer is, in effect, a stand-in for Gérôme, whose art relies on seduction and deception. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Now that other beloved underdogs (Cabo Verde, Curaçao, DR Congo) have been knocked out of the competition, Norway has become a stand-in for those who no longer have a team of their own. — Alan Chazaro, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026

Verb

Onstage, Shakira unleashed her inner rock star during the song, working the stage and the mic stand in a purple corset and matching fringe pants and whipping her lengthy curls like a weapon. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 July 2026

When barriers stand in the way of screenings, medications or routine physician visits, patients often enter the healthcare system later and are often sicker. — Russell Cox, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1904, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stand-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin

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