understudy
/ˈʌndəstʌdi/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈʌndɚstˌʌdi] /ˈʌndərstʌdi/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈʌndɚstˌʌdi] /ˈən-dər-ˌstə-dē How to pronounce understudy (audio) ˌən-dər-ˈstə-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈʌn.dəˌstʌd.i/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈʌndɚstˌʌdi] /ˈʌn.dɚˌstʌd.i/ (ame, ipa)
understudy — noun
- understudysingular
- understudiesplural
1. A performer who learns the lines and stage movements originally written for anot
A performer who learns the lines and stage movements originally written for another performer's role, ready to go on stage in that role if that performer is unable to perform.
When the lead singer fell ill, Lucía stepped in as understudy and performed flawlessly.
noun + for: understudy for [person]
Daichi spent two years as an understudy before landing the main role.
Every young actor hoped to be chosen as an understudy for the famous star.
The director asked Zuri to become the understudy for both female leads in the play.
Mira felt nervous but proud when she was named understudy for the main character.
- stand-in
Used more in film/TV for someone who replaces during technical setups, not performance.
- substitute
Much broader — applies to any person or thing that takes another's place, not specific to theatre.
- double
Often implies physical resemblance to the original performer, especially in film.
文法句型
understudy + for + [role/person]
用法筆記
The noun is typically followed by 'for' to specify which role or performer the person is prepared to replace. It applies almost exclusively to theatre, opera, and live performance contexts.
常見錯誤
understudy — verb
- understudypresent simple I / you / we / they
- understudies3rd person singular
- understudying-ing form
- understudiedpast simple
1. To learn and rehearse a role that another performer currently plays in a show, p
To learn and rehearse a role that another performer currently plays in a show, preparing to take over on stage if that performer cannot perform.
Kasia was asked to understudy the role of Juliet while the senior actress recovered.
transitive: understudy + [role]
Tanvi is understudying two different characters in the current production at the National Theatre.
The young actor spent months understudying the lead role before finally performing it.
Dewi agreed to understudy for a colleague who needed time off during the tour.
- stand in for
More common in film/TV; 'understudy' is specific to live theatre.
- cover for
Broader and less formal; can apply to any job or situation.
- replace
Implies a permanent or indefinite change, while understudying is temporary.
文法句型
understudy + [role/person]
understudy + for + [person]
用法筆記
When used transitively, the object is either the role ('understudy the king') or the performer ('understudy the lead actor'). When used intransitively, it is always followed by 'for' ('understudy for the star').