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Glite Dictionary
fill-in

fill-in

6 3.5
A person who temporarily does another person's job
  • noun
  • /ˈfɪlˌɪn/
translation icon : sustituto
  • As a fill-in for the regular teacher who was sick, Emily led the class through the day's lessons.
  • fill-in for the injured
  • fill-in starter
  • last-minute fill-in

Examples

  • Napolitano joined FOX News Channel in January 1998, was a regular fill-in co-host for "FOX & Friends" and co-hosted FOX News Radio's "Brian and The Judge" from 2006 to 2010.

    Blog text (2)

  • The 36-year-old was picked up at the deadline because the Giants needed a fill-in for Sandoval, who was injured.

    Blog text (2)

  • This is a fill-in job.

    Collateral (2004)

  • Maybe I can find a fill-in man just for that duty.

    Blog text (19)

  • The fill-in singer will be announced soon, and we promise that our fans will not be let down.

    Blog text (20)

  • If Rob gets sick, you are my vote for the fill-in.

    Blog text (33)

  • The regular cleric was on vacation, and we had a fill-in who introduced himself as "Father Dick."

    Blog text (4)

  • Strong-armed fill-in Colin Kaepernick made all the right throws, looking every bit a capable NFL No. 1.

    Blog text (15)

  • Former Texas first baseman Chris Davis emerged as a middle-of-the-order power threat and pivotal fill-in throughout the year.

    Blog text (17)

  • For shows or tours he can't be a part of, there will be a well-respected, talented fill-in singer, so we as a band can continue to prosper and bring Suffocation to the fans.

    Blog text (20)

Synonyms

backup
vsfill-in
367 2.9

A person who takes another person's place when needed

is mainly a temporary full replacement rather than a supporting helper
replacement
vsfill-in
282 2.0

A person or thing that takes the place of another

is used for a temporary takeover rather than an indefinite or permanent change
substitute
vsfill-in
211 3.2

A person or thing that takes the place of another

is used for someone who replaces another only for a short time
relief
vsfill-in
24 4.4

A person who temporarily does someone else's job for them

is used for any short replacement not only for hard or risky tasks
alternate
vsfill-in
22 3.8

A person chosen to replace another if needed

is used for general temporary replacement rather than being formally assigned in advance
stand-in
vsfill-in
13 4.2

A person who takes another person's place, for example in a performance or at work

is used for temporary replacement in any job rather than certain special situations
temporary worker
vsfill-in
9 2.8

A person who does a job for only a short time

is about replacing someone temporarily in a role rather than fixed employment
reliever
vsfill-in
1 5.2

A person who takes over another person's work for a short time in difficult situations

is used for short replacements in any role not just for hard tasks
replacer
vsfill-in
1 4.0

A person or thing that takes the place of another

is meant for short term replacement rather than a generic taking of duties
suppositum
vsfill-in
  • Archaic
9.9

A person or thing placed to take another person's place

is the ordinary modern term for temporary replacement in everyday situations

How Permanent

replacement
282 2.0
stand-in
13 4.2
understudy
28 5.1
fill-in
6 3.5

Surface Forms

fill-in singular
fill-ins plural

Morphology

fill-in = fill (semi-transparent) = in + fill

The noun is built from the phrasal form 'fill in', but the sense 'temporary replacement' is somewhat lexicalized rather than fully literal. [Postprocessing: moved 'in' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

The word fill-in comes from the simple parts fill and in, where fill means 'to put something into a space'. A fill-in 'fills the space' left by someone and so temporarily replaces them.