ersatz

[ er-zahts, -sahts, er-zahts, -sahts ]
See synonyms for: ersatzersatzes on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. serving as a substitute; synthetic; artificial: an ersatz coffee made from grain.

noun
  1. an artificial substance or article used to replace something natural or genuine; a substitute.

Origin of ersatz

1
1870–75; <German Ersatz a substitute (derivative of ersetzen to replace)

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ersatz in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ersatz

ersatz

/ (ˈɛəzæts, ˈɜː-) /


adjective
  1. made in imitation of some natural or genuine product; artificial

noun
  1. an ersatz substance or article

Origin of ersatz

1
C20: German, from ersetzen to substitute

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012