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 next batter, pinch hitter Anthony Friese (a stand-in for Kevin Millar), hit one on the screws to right field. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

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

Verb

Beresford says the real-life group had to be condensed for the stage, with composite characters like Reggie and Steph standing in for several real activists. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

That is technically true but completely beside the point, the public health equivalent of noting that the tide has only crept up a few inches while standing in a basement that is starting to flood. — A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 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