understudy

Word parts

under- + study

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈʌndɚˌstʌdi/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈʌndəˌstʌdi/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: un‧der‧study

Noun

Singular understudy

Plural understudies

1. (countable) An understudy is a person who understudies.

Verb

Plain form understudy

Third-person singular understudies

Past tense understudied

Past participle understudied

Present participle understudying

1. If you understudy, you study or know a role so as to be able to replace the normal performer when required.