body double: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, media, film industry jargon
Quick answer
What does “body double” mean?
A person who substitutes for an actor in specific scenes requiring special skills or for scenes involving nudity or stunts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who substitutes for an actor in specific scenes requiring special skills or for scenes involving nudity or stunts.
By extension, any person who closely resembles another and stands in for them, often to deceive; also used metaphorically for something that serves as a close substitute or replacement in a non-physical context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term originated in Hollywood but is equally used in UK film industries and general language.
Connotations
Neutral professional term in film contexts; can carry slightly sinister or deceptive connotations in general metaphorical use (e.g., in espionage or crime contexts).
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties due to globalised film industry. Slightly more frequent in American English as the term's origin point.
Grammar
How to Use “body double” in a Sentence
[Actor] used a body double for [scene/purpose].She served as a body double for [Celebrity].The film employed a body double.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body double” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The director decided to body-double the lead actress for the dangerous sequence.
- She was body-doubled in all the wide shots.
American English
- The production will body-double the actor for the nude scene.
- They body-doubled him for the complex stunt.
adverb
British English
- Not standardly used.
American English
- Not standardly used.
adjective
British English
- The body-double scenes were seamlessly edited.
- He had a body-double role in the film.
American English
- They shot the body-double footage last week.
- It was a body-double situation for the premiere.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in entertainment business contracts and insurance.
Academic
Used in film/media studies discussing production techniques or star personas.
Everyday
Used when discussing film/TV trivia, or humorously when someone looks very similar to another person.
Technical
Standard term in film/TV production, stunt coordination, and security/protection details.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “body double”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “body double”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body double”
- Using 'bodyguard' interchangeably (a bodyguard protects, a body double substitutes).
- Confusing with 'voice double' (for dubbing).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A body double primarily substitutes for physical appearance (e.g., nude scenes, specific body parts), while a stunt double performs dangerous or skilled physical actions. Roles can overlap.
Yes, especially in film industry jargon (e.g., 'She was body-doubled for that scene'), but it's less common in everyday speech.
It's a standard and accepted professional practice for specific technical needs (stunts, nudity, special skills), though debates about authenticity sometimes arise.
Primarily yes, but it can be used metaphorically (e.g., 'This cheap version is just a body double for the original product').
A person who substitutes for an actor in specific scenes requiring special skills or for scenes involving nudity or stunts.
Body double is usually informal, media, film industry jargon in register.
Body double: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdi ˌdʌbl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdi ˌdʌbəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It wasn't the star, just a body double.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DOUBLE the BODY' = a second body that doubles for the first.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A REPLACEABLE PART / DECEPTION IS A SUBSTITUTE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'body double' LEAST likely to be used?