prop

An object used by actors or placed in a scene in a play, film, or television show.

• The cup is a stage prop.
• Someone left the props behind after filming.
• She carried a wooden sword as a prop.

Common phrases: stage prop, film prop, prop table

Something placed under or against an object to hold it up or keep it steady.

• Put a prop under the shelf.
• The roof was held up by wooden props.
• This metal bar serves as a prop for the door.

Similar words: support, brace

Common phrases: wooden prop, temporary prop, prop under something

An object made to look like a real thing, although it is not real.

• The gun is only a prop.
• They replaced the real cake with a plastic prop.
• The display contained props that looked like ancient coins.

Similar words: imitation, replica, dummy

Common phrases: prop gun, prop sword, rubber prop

To hold something up or keep it steady by putting something under or against it.

• Prop the door open.
• He propped his head on his hand.
• We propped the painting against a chair.

How to use it: prop something up (We propped the broken shelf up with a stick.); prop something against something (She propped the ladder against the wall.); prop something open (Please prop the door open with a chair.)

Similar words: support, brace

Common phrases: prop something up, prop something open, prop against something