un·der·study
ˈən-dər-ˌstə-dē 
ˌən-dər-ˈstə-
understudied; understudying; understudies
: to study another actor's part in order to substitute in an emergency
: to prepare (a part or character) as understudy
also
: to prepare as understudy to (an actor)
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
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
That’s because, surprise, surprise, ACL injuries in female athletes have been understudied compared to those in male athletes.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Mark Harris, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2025
Sorkin hired Whitford as an understudy and eventually gave him the lead when the show moved over to the Music Box.
—Trish Deitch, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understudy
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Verb
Californians’ accents are complex and understudied The stereotypical sounding Californian is widely known, but actual research into our state’s accents is relatively new, Mendoza-Denton said.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
That’s because, surprise, surprise, ACL injuries in female athletes have been understudied compared to those in male athletes.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
Dewhurst was, at that point, a venerable stage star with six Tony nominations and two wins, and Reiley was a young journeyman actor who was often hired for the chorus or as an understudy.
—Mark Harris, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2025
Sorkin hired Whitford as an understudy and eventually gave him the lead when the show moved over to the Music Box.
—Trish Deitch, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understudy
Cite this Entry
“Understudy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understudy. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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