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

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 series, loosely based on creator Erin Foster’s real-life romance with her husband, is a rom-com about the relationship between shiksa podcaster and Foster stand-in Joanne (Kristen Bell) and her rabbi boyfriend Noah (Adam Brody). —Esther Zuckerman, Time, 21 Oct. 2025

The protests are led by a youth movement which uses symbols — including a pirate flag from popular Japanese manga One Piece, a stand-in for confronting oppression — associated with demonstrations in other countries, including Morocco, Nepal, and Peru. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Verb

Since then, her standing in the polls has slipped, though partisan loyalties remain deeply entrenched. —Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025

The doors would then close with guests standing in a semi-circle as the president moved around the group, greeting each person. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 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