Stand for meaning
Stand for means to be a short form of a word or name. It can also mean to believe in and support an idea.
stand for somebody or something
stand for · stood · standing
The letters UN stand for United Nations.
Stand for meanings and examples
3 meanings, each with its own CEFR level. A level marked ~ is our estimate: Oxford and Cambridge give none for that meaning.
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1
Be a short form of a word or name
stand for somebody or something
- The letters UN stand for United Nations.
- Do you know what BBC stands for?
- In my name, the J stands for James.
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2
Believe in and support an idea
stand for something
- I like this brand and what it stands for.
- Our team stands for fair play.
- Do you know what this party really stands for?
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3
Accept bad behaviour without complaining (used with not)
stand for something
- I won’t stand for this kind of rudeness.
- Our teacher doesn’t stand for phones in class.
- Why do you stand for it? Tell him to stop!
Café orders
New friends
At the airport
Slova
Use stand for in real conversations
- Learn new words with picture cards
- Talk with Felix, an AI tutor, about the things you love
- Short lessons at your level, a few minutes a day
Is stand for separable?
Stand for is not separable. The thing always comes after for: What does it stand for? In questions, for goes to the end.
In the accept meaning, stand for is almost always negative or a question: I won’t stand for it. In UK English, stand for can also mean be a candidate in an election: stand for parliament.
Verb tenses for stand for
| Present | I stand for · she stands for |
|---|---|
| Past | stood for |
| Present perfect | have stood for |
| -ing form | standing for |
Common mistakes with stand for
What learners often say, and what to say instead.
Wrong: What stands NASA for?
Right: What does NASA stand for?
Make the question with does, and put for at the end.
Wrong: BBC stand for British Broadcasting Corporation.
Right: BBC stands for British Broadcasting Corporation.
One short form is singular, so add -s.
Wrong: What is the meaning that HR stands?
Right: What does HR stand for?
You need for. The short, natural question is What does X stand for?
Synonyms and opposites of stand for
Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.
Similar
- meanhave a meaning: What does this word mean?
- representformal; be a sign or symbol of something
- put up withaccept something bad, often without complaining
Opposite
- opposebe against an idea
- object tosay you do not accept something
Stand for quiz
Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
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1What does DIY ___? Do it yourself.
Stand for is used to ask what letters mean.
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2Choose the right sentence.
Use does in the question and keep for at the end.
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3Your boss says, “I won’t stand for people being late.” What does she mean?
Not stand for something means not accept it.
More phrasal verbs with stand
3 phrasal verbs start with stand. Test yourself on all of them in a few minutes.
Stand for FAQ
Questions people ask about stand for.
How do you ask what letters mean?
Say What does X stand for? What does ASAP stand for? It stands for as soon as possible.
What does what do you stand for mean?
It asks what you believe in and care about. Politicians and companies are often asked what they stand for.
Stand for vs put up with: what is the difference?
Both can mean accept something bad. Not stand for is strong and shows you will act. Put up with means accept it, often unhappily.
Use stand for in real conversations
In Slova you learn new words with picture cards, then use them when you talk about the things you love. A few minutes a day, at your level.