understudy

1 of 2

verb

un·​der·​study ˈən-dər-ˌstə-dē 

ˌən-dər-ˈstə-

understudied; understudying; understudies

intransitive verb

: to study another actor's part in order to substitute in an emergency

transitive verb

: to prepare (a part or character) as understudy

also : to prepare as understudy to (an actor)

understudy

2 of 2

noun

un·​der·​study ˈən-dər-ˌstə-dē 

: one who is prepared to act another's part or take over another's duties

Examples of understudy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

However, Equity leaders acknowledged that the contract fell short of all the goals members had wanted to achieve, and members continued to voice concerns about the demands placed on swings, or actors who understudy several ensemble roles, among other issues. —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025

But what has been unclear is what will happen to the intensity of these storms, which have tended to be understudied, Mann said. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 14 July 2025

Noun

Punting seemed to be the sort of old-fashioned decision former Patriots coach Bill Belichick or his former understudy, the current New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, might have made. —Mike Sando, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

The crisis at Nestlé offers a further lesson to boards: there is value in having an understudy ready to step in, the FT notes. —Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1874, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for understudy

• bloody
• buddy
• cuddy
• muddy
• ruddy
• scudi
• study
• restudy

Kids Definition

understudy

verb

un·​der·​study

ˈən-dər-ˌstəd-ē,

ˌən-dər-ˈstəd-ē

: to study another actor's part in order to be his or her substitute in an emergency

understudy noun