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

With his stand-up hair, skinny body and long, skeletal fingers, he could pass for a contemporary of ours, a proto-punk figure who would seem at home on the Lower East Side.

From New York Times

The comic, who has made waves in the stand-up scene in recent years, announced Tuesday that he will take his material on the road with a new tour set to launch in 2025.

From Los Angeles Times

“They were going to lose, and I wouldn’t have it, so I said, ‘Guys, look, he’s a stand-up human being.

From Los Angeles Times

What made you decide on doing a special with Netflix as Dr. Phil rather than doing a standard stand-up special as yourself?

From Los Angeles Times

Kenny was also an acclaimed singer, poet, and solo stand-up performer.

From BBC

Related Words

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