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

Until then, Philadelphia National Bank will keep being used as a stand-in for the argument about consumer harm that the states cannot actually make. — Shubha Ghosh, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

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

Verb

Gauff knocked the ball into a rectangular expanse of blue, as Jović stood in the doubles alley and doubled over to her knees, trying to catch her breath. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

These purchases stand in contrast to the California Air Resources Board’s requirement for all transit agencies to use only zero-emission buses — meaning battery electric or fuel-cell electric — by 2040. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 8 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