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
   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
   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

To be a liberal, you have to stand up for liberal principles.

From The Daily Beast

Spencer, 27,  is variously described as a writer and a stand-up comic.

From The Daily Beast

Is there any chance the potential 2016 hopeful will stand up to the right and embrace paid sick leave?

From The Daily Beast

He might even stand up for these rookies he was now calling children of God.

From The Daily Beast

Kanye West wants people to stand up and dance at his concerts.

From The Daily Beast

Then, as Squinty remembered how he had been taught to stand up on his hind legs, he thought he would do that trick now.

From Project Gutenberg

Have plenty of chairs ready in the drawing-room, as an invitation to dinner by no means argues a "stand up" party.

From Project Gutenberg

The red comb on the top of his head has teeth like a carpenter's saw, and is so large it will not stand up straight.

From Project Gutenberg

He was thought brave, for no man in the Ozarks dared to stand up against him in a fight, but at heart he was a coward.

From Project Gutenberg

From that day my affairs have gone from bad to worse, and I have naught in the wide world but the clothes I stand up in.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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