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Meaning & use

standby

noun, adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈstændbaɪ/
US/ˈstændbaɪ/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A person or thing kept ready to replace or support the normal choice if it fails or is unavailable.

    Grammar: Countable for one backup: a standby; compare the state phrase 'on standby.'

    Patterns

    • a standby generator
    • keep a standby
    • act as a standby

    The hospital keeps a standby generator for power cuts.

    Our coach named a standby in case the goalkeeper was injured.

  2. noununcountable

    A state of being ready to act, travel, or operate when needed.

    Grammar: Fixed phrase 'on standby'; not usually counted as one standby.

    Patterns

    • on standby
    • put someone on standby
    • remain on standby

    Fire crews were on standby during the heatwave.

    I put my phone on standby to save battery.

  3. adjectivebefore a noun

    Ready for use in an emergency or if the main option does not work.

    Grammar: Comes immediately before a noun: standby power, standby ticket; do not say 'the ticket is standby' in this sense.

    Patterns

    • standby mode
    • standby passenger
    • standby flight

    The laptop entered standby mode after ten minutes.

    A standby passenger waits for an empty seat at the gate.

Word forms

pluralstandbys

Common combinations

on standby
Nurses were on standby through the night.
standby generator
A standby generator starts automatically when the grid fails.
standby mode
The console uses little power in standby mode.
standby passenger
As a standby passenger, he reached the airport before dawn.
put something on standby
Put the pump on standby until the tank is full.

Synonyms and how they differ

backup
Backup is the everyday word for a spare person, copy, or system; standby often suggests official readiness.
reserve
Reserve implies something held back for later use, less tied to immediate emergency readiness.
spare
Spare fits an extra object, such as a tire, rather than a person waiting to serve.

Opposites

activeprimary

Word family

stand by verb
Phrasal verb meaning to wait, support, or stay ready.
standby adjective
Ready for emergency or substitute use before a noun.

Commonly confused: standby or stand by? standby or standby ticket?

standby vs stand by

Stand by is the phrasal verb: 'Please stand by.' Standby as one word is the noun or adjective.

standby vs standby ticket

A standby ticket is not guaranteed seating; it depends on available seats close to departure.

Practice

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