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

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 Broncos signed him in 2023, then re-signed him last offseason, paying him $12 million over two years to be second-year pro Bo Nix’s understudy. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026

Stone played her first two seasons as an understudy behind stars Tia Poulakidas and Kylee Norkus. —Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026

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