stunt woman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Specialist / Informal
Quick answer
What does “stunt woman” mean?
A woman whose profession is performing dangerous action sequences in films or other media, often as a substitute for an actress.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman whose profession is performing dangerous action sequences in films or other media, often as a substitute for an actress.
A female performer specializing in risky physical feats such as falls, fights, car chases, or fire stunts for entertainment productions. Can sometimes be used metaphorically for a woman who takes significant risks or performs impressive physical actions in non-professional contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling is consistent. The industry terminology is largely shared internationally.
Connotations
Neutral and professional in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally used in both UK and US film/TV industries.
Grammar
How to Use “stunt woman” in a Sentence
[stunt woman] + [verb: performed/doubled/did] + [dangerous feat][actor/actress] + [was replaced by] + [a stunt woman][film/production] + [employed/used] + [a stunt woman]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stunt woman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The actress did not stunt for that scene; a professional was brought in.
- She learned to stunt-drive for the role.
American English
- She refused to stunt for that dangerous fall.
- He's been stunt-doubling for years.
adjective
British English
- The stuntwoman coordinator ensured all safety protocols were followed.
- It was a spectacular stunt-woman sequence.
American English
- The stuntwoman work in the film was highly praised.
- She has a stuntwoman background.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in film/TV production contracts, insurance, and crew credits.
Academic
Rare; might appear in film studies or gender studies discussing representation in media industries.
Everyday
Used when discussing movies, behind-the-scenes facts, or remarkable physical feats.
Technical
Standard term in film production, stunt coordination, and performers' union (e.g., Equity, SAG-AFTRA) classifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stunt woman”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stunt woman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stunt woman”
- Misspelling as one word: 'stuntwoman' (acceptable variant but less common in formal writing).
- Using 'stuntman' as gender-neutral (increasingly seen as non-inclusive).
- Confusing with 'stand-in' (a person who substitutes for lighting setup, not action).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'stunt woman' is the general job title. A 'stunt double' is a specific role where the stunt performer physically substitutes for a particular actor/actress in shots where their face may not be clearly visible.
Yes, 'stuntwoman' as a single closed compound is an accepted variant, especially in informal and journalistic contexts. However, 'stunt woman' (two words) remains very common and is often preferred in formal writing or dictionaries.
Traditionally, 'stuntman' was often used generically. In modern, inclusive language, it is increasingly seen as male-specific. Terms like 'stunt performer', 'stunt artist', or the gender-specific 'stunt woman'/'stunt man' are preferred for clarity and inclusivity.
Typically, extensive training in multiple disciplines such as martial arts, gymnastics, acrobatics, driving (including precision and stunt driving), swimming, horse riding, and high-fall techniques. They often have backgrounds in sports, dance, or the military. Membership in a performers' union usually requires proven experience and safety training.
A woman whose profession is performing dangerous action sequences in films or other media, often as a substitute for an actress.
Stunt woman is usually specialist / informal in register.
Stunt woman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstʌnt ˌwʊm.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstʌnt ˌwʊm.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “She's a real-life stunt woman. (metaphorical for a risk-taker)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WOMAN who does a STUNT. The compound word is very literal.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DANGEROUS JOB IS A PERFORMANCE OF RISK.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the primary role of a stunt woman?