What does Understudy mean?

Definitions for Understudy
ˈʌn dərˌstʌd iun·der·study

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Understudy.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. understudy, standbyverb

    an actor able to replace a regular performer when required

  2. understudy, alternateverb

    be an understudy or alternate for a role

Wiktionary

  1. understudynoun

    a performer who understudies; a standby

  2. understudyverb

    to study or know a role to such an extent as to be able to replace the normal performer when required

  3. understudyverb

    to act as an understudy (to someone)

Wikipedia

  1. Understudy

    In theater, an understudy, referred to in opera as cover or covering, is a performer who learns the lines and blocking or choreography of a regular actor, actress, or other performer in a play. Should the regular actor or actress be unable to appear on stage because of illness, injury, emergencies or death, the understudy takes over the part. Usually when the understudy takes over, the theater manager announces the cast change prior to the start of the performance. Coined in 1874, the term understudy has more recently generally been applied only to performers who can back up a role, but still regularly perform in another role.

ChatGPT

  1. understudy

    An understudy is a person, usually an actor, who learns another person's role in order to be able to act as a replacement in case of the originally intended performer's absence, due to illness or any unforeseen circumstances. Often, understudies play minor roles when they're not filling in for a lead actor.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Understudy

    to study, as another actor's part, in order to be his substitute in an emergency; to study another actor's part

  2. Understudynoun

    one who studies another's part with a view to assuming it in an emergency

Wikidata

  1. Understudy

    In theater, an understudy is a performer who learns the lines and blocking/choreography of a regular actor or actress in a play. Should the regular actor or actress be unable to appear on stage because of illness or emergencies, the understudy takes over the part. Usually when the understudy takes over, the theater manager will make a relevant announcement prior to the start of the performance. In the opera world, the term cover or covering is used. More recently, the term "understudy" has generally only been applied to performers who will cover a part, but still regularly perform in another role within the show; usually a minor, extra role.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Understudy

    un′dėr-stud-i, v.t. and v.i. to study a dramatic part so as to be able to take the place of the actor playing it, if necessary.—n. an actor who prepares a part in this way.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of Understudy in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of Understudy in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of Understudy in a Sentence

  1. Louise Sattler:

    Life is not a dress rehearsal - nor do you have an understudy.

  2. David Axelrod:

    There may be a seductive belief that by naming a running mate, you can magically erase political deficits, but at the end of the day, voters select the person on the top of the ticket, not the understudy.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

Understudy#100000#113036#333333

Translations for Understudy

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"Understudy." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 31 Oct. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Understudy>.

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