substitute
a person or thing acting or serving in place of another.
(formerly) a person who, for payment, served in an army or navy in the place of a conscript.
Grammar. a word that functions as a replacement for any member of a class of words or constructions, as do in He doesn't know but I do.
to put (a person or thing) in the place of another.
to take the place of; replace.
Chemistry. to replace (one or more elements or groups in a compound) by other elements or groups.
to act as a substitute.
of or relating to a substitute or substitutes.
composed of substitutes.
Origin of substitute
1Other words for substitute
Other words from substitute
- sub·sti·tut·a·ble, adjective
- sub·sti·tut·a·bil·i·ty, noun
- sub·sti·tut·er, noun
- sub·sti·tut·ing·ly, adverb
- sub·sti·tu·tion, noun
- sub·sti·tu·tion·al, sub·sti·tu·tion·ar·y [suhb-sti-too-shuh-ner-ee, -tyoo-], /ˌsʌb stɪˈtu ʃəˌnɛr i, -ˈtyu-/, adjective
- sub·sti·tu·tion·al·ly, adverb
- in·ter·sub·sti·tut·a·bil·i·ty, noun
- in·ter·sub·sti·tut·a·ble, adjective
- in·ter·sub·sti·tu·tion, noun
- non·sub·sti·tut·ed, adjective
- non·sub·sti·tu·tion, noun
- non·sub·sti·tu·tion·al, adjective
- non·sub·sti·tu·tion·al·ly, adverb
- non·sub·sti·tu·tion·ar·y, adjective
- pre·sub·sti·tute, verb (used with object), pre·sub·sti·tut·ed, pre·sub·sti·tut·ing.
- pre·sub·sti·tu·tion, noun
- pro·sub·sti·tu·tion, adjective
- un·sub·sti·tut·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use substitute in a sentence
Like Nadler, Cohen—who is also Jewish—substituted “Jewish” for “gay” and watched Riggle wriggle.
Right-Wing Activists: Yep, ‘Religious Freedom’ Protects Discrimination Against Jews | Jay Michaelson | June 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFor nose-pulling and brawling we have substituted ritual apologies.
In September and October 2008, the U.S. government effectively substituted its credit for that of the private sector.
Debt-Limit Disaster Is Exponentially Worse Than 2008 Lehman Debacle | Daniel Gross | October 8, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTWe took their spirit, and substituted the spirit in the bottle.
The Doors Never Sold Out to Crass Commercialism | John Densmore | September 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTInstead of Muslims, I could have substituted red-haired people, or bird watchers, or whatever, and that makes nonsense of it.
The Spaniards since have substituted paper for the leaves of maize, in imitation of them.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.Variety is admissible only in addition to the original exercise, but should not be substituted for it.
Expressive Voice Culture | Jessie Eldridge SouthwickGold may be substituted for rediscounts and rediscounts for gold, in accordance with the requirements of the reserve bank.
Readings in Money and Banking | Chester Arthur PhillipsIn many states a corporation need not use its corporate seal, any other may be substituted.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesAnother Committee of Safety for Virginia was named: nine members were re-appointed and two new members were substituted.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia | Dorothy M. Torpey
British Dictionary definitions for substitute
/ (ˈsʌbstɪˌtjuːt) /
(often foll by for) to serve or cause to serve in place of another person or thing
chem to replace (an atom or group in a molecule) with (another atom or group)
logic maths to replace (one expression) by (another) in the context of a third, as replacing x + y for x in 3 x = k gives 3 x + 3 y = k
a person or thing that serves in place of another, such as a player in a game who takes the place of an injured colleague
(as modifier): a substitute goalkeeper Often shortened to: sub
grammar another name for pro-form
Canadian another name for supply teacher
nautical another word for repeater (def. 5)
(formerly) a person paid to replace another due for military service
Origin of substitute
1usage For substitute
Derived forms of substitute
- substitutable, adjective
- substitutability, noun
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
Browse