un·der·study
ˈən-dər-ˌstə-dē 
ˌən-dər-ˈstə-
understudied; understudying; understudies
: to study another actor's part in order to substitute in an emergency
: to prepare (a part or character) as understudy
also
: to prepare as understudy to (an actor)
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
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
In 2006, for a revival at the La Jolla Playhouse, Mingo was cast as the Head Funky Monkey and understudy to David Alan Grier as the Wiz.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
Jesse Aaronson and Franklin Bongjio serve as understudies.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understudy
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Perhaps that’s what led to his first big break, understudying for Matthew Broderick in Broadway’s Brighton Beach Memoirs.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
In 2006, for a revival at the La Jolla Playhouse, Mingo was cast as the Head Funky Monkey and understudy to David Alan Grier as the Wiz.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
The understudies take the lead this Thursday.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
Jesse Aaronson and Franklin Bongjio serve as understudies.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understudy
Cite this Entry
“Understudy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understudy. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
