fill-in

[ fil-in ]

noun

1. a person or thing that fills in, as a substitute, replacement, or insertion:

   The company used a fill-in for workers on vacation.

2. a brief, informative summary; a rundown.

fill in

verb

1. tr to complete (a form, drawing, etc)
2. intr to act as a substitute

   a girl is filling in while the typist is away

3. tr to put material into (a hole or cavity), esp so as to make it level with a surface
4. informal.
   tr to inform with facts or news
5. slang.
   tr to attack and injure severely

noun

1. a substitute
2. informal.
   a briefing to complete one's understanding

Word History and Origins

Origin of fill-in¹

First recorded in 1915–20; noun use of verb phrase fill in

Example Sentences

Stewart made his frustration clear but pivoted on a dime, quickly moving on to an interview with Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, which the governor noted was a fill-in gig.

From Salon

Ahmed, the team’s current fill-in, has won two Gold Gloves at the position.

From Los Angeles Times

The “NBC Nightly News” fill-in anchor and her husband said in May that they were determined to give their daughter a sibling and started “working on a second baby” in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times

The “NBC Nightly News” fill-in anchor and her husband said they were determined to give their daughter a sibling and started “working on a second baby” in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times

One replacement was already on hand — Julian Love, who spent last season as a rotational and backup player and fill-in starter when Adams was sidelined and will take over as a full-time starter.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• fill out
• insert