stand-up

or stand·up

[ stand-uhp ]

adjective

1. standing erect or upright, as a collar.
2. performed, taken, etc., while one stands:

   a stand-up meal.

3. designed for or requiring a standing position:

   a stand-up lunch counter.

4. (of a fight) characterized by the rapid exchange of many blows with little attention given to defensive maneuvering.
5. (of a person) characterized by an erect or bold stance.
6. Baseball. (of a double or triple) pertaining to a hit that allows the hitter to reach the base safely without having to slide.
7. relating to or noting a performance by a comedian delivering a monologue while alone on the stage:

   stand-up comedy;

   the best stand-up comics.

8. Slang. loyal and dependable:

   He seems to be a real stand-up guy.

noun

1. comedy in which a comedian delivers a monologue while alone on the stage:

   We bought tickets to see some stand-up at a club downtown.

2. a comedian who delivers such monologues:

   I've been a stand-up for about five years.

stand up

verb

1. intr to rise to the feet
2. intr to resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc
3. informal.
   tr to fail to keep an appointment with, esp intentionally
4. stand up for
   1. to support, side with, or defend
   2. to serve as best man for (the groom) at a wedding
5. stand up to
   1. to confront or resist courageously
   2. to withstand or endure (wear, criticism, etc)

adjective

1. having or being in an erect position

   a stand-up collar

2. done, performed, taken, etc, while standing

   a stand-up meal

3. (of comedy or a comedian) performed or performing solo
4. informal.
   (of a boxer) having an aggressive style without much leg movement

   a stand-up fighter

noun

1. a stand-up comedian
2. stand-up comedy

Word History and Origins

Origin of stand-up¹

First recorded in 1580–90; adjective and noun use of verb phrase stand up

Example Sentences

After a minute, the two officers ordered Bates to stand up, placed her in handcuffs and berated her for running away.

From Los Angeles Times

“But how could I not stand up for my people?” she says when I first visit her Porter Ranch home in late September.

From Los Angeles Times

After being on “Parks,” directors on other sets treat me differently but also I now would stand up for myself more.

From Los Angeles Times

She pledged to stand by our allies, stand up to dictators and ensure that America had the world’s most lethal fighting force.

From Salon

"For ministers to stand up and say this is good for farmers like me, for agriculture, they are chucking petrol onto a rather hot fire at the moment."

From BBC

Related Words

• conscientious
• ethical
• impartial
• noble
• principled
• pure
• righteous
• straightforward
• trustworthy
• upstanding
• virtuous