Meaning & use
understudy
An actor who learns another performer's role in order to replace them if they cannot perform.
See it in a sentence
The understudy took over the lead role after the star actress fell ill.
She spent months as an understudy before finally getting her own starring role.
A note on using this word
Understudy can also be used as a verb meaning to prepare to replace someone in a role.
Words with a similar meaning
stand-in
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
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