understudy

/ˈʌndərˌstʌdi/
verb
  1. To learn and be ready to perform another actor's role or take over someone's duties.
    • He understudied the main character for six months before getting his chance.
    • She will understudy the lead role in the upcoming play.
    • The young actress was asked to understudy two different parts.
noun
  1. An actor or performer who learns another performer's role in order to replace them if needed.
    • Every Broadway show has at least one understudy for each major character.
    • She spent months as an understudy before finally getting her own role.
    • The understudy went on stage when the lead singer lost her voice.
  2. A person who is ready to take over someone else's job or duties temporarily.
    • He acted as an understudy for the senior engineer at the conference.
    • The manager trained an understudy to handle the department during her leave.
    • The CEO's understudy was prepared to step in at any moment.
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