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 latest rollout of Grand Theft Auto — best known as GTA — is a relaunch of the Vice City version of the game, with Vice City serving as the digital stand-in for real-life Miami. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026

Socrates is drinking a cup of Froot Loops, a toxic stand-in for the hemlock the philosopher drank. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Verb

Behind the thick, almost medieval-looking door, a mountain of a man stands in the dark entrance—the first line of defense against the plebs of Bedford Street. — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026

Halifax Airport stood in for both Geneva and JFK, and finding a convincing American-style kitchen in Switzerland was another unexpected challenge. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 Sep. 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