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

Phrases

stand in with

: to be in a specially favored position 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

Faux brass candlesticks, plastic nutcrackers, and off-brand plaid blankets are hauled out as budget stand-ins for the designer’s signature style. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025

It is generally just used as a stand-in for freedom. —Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025

Verb

Last month, rapidly-growing 7 Brew Coffee opened its 500th location, adding a stand in New Jersey. —John Magsam, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2025

Beck, standing in the shotgun, took the snap and rolled to his left. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025

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
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

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