Word
understudy
Phoneticsun·der·study
US/ˈəndɝˌstədi/
UK/ˌʌndəstˈʌdi/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who learns to do a job or a role so they can take over if the main person is sick or busy. In a theater, this is the person who practices the lead role to be ready for a show.
n. a person who is trained to perform the duties of another, typically in a professional or theatrical context. Often used to describe a performer who is prepared to replace the lead actor in a production.
Examples
“She is the understudy for the lead role in the play.”
“When the lead singer fell ill, the understudy stepped in and performed the entire set without missing a note.”
“While the lead actor received the majority of the press attention, the understudy spent every evening rehearsing the entire script to ensure a seamless transition should an emergency arise.”
Examples
simple
“She is the understudy for the lead role in the play.”
contextual
“When the lead singer fell ill, the understudy stepped in and performed the entire set without missing a note.”
complex
“While the lead actor received the majority of the press attention, the understudy spent every evening rehearsing the entire script to ensure a seamless transition should an emergency arise.”
Real-World Examples
“Nottingham Forest could be about to sell Morato , their understudy centre-back, to Roma.” “The 23-year-old England goalkeeper, currently understudy to Jordan Pickford in Tuchel’s squad, shone at Burnley in the Championship and arguably deserved more than to be No 2 at City last term.” Etymology
From under- + study.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/understudy