substitute

noun

A replacement or stand-in for something that achieves a similar result or purpose.

A substitute teacher.

(sports) A player who is available to replace another if the need arises, and who may or may not actually do so.

(economics) Abbreviation of substitute good. [(economics) a good that a consumer perceives as similar to another good, which decreases the demand for that other good]

(historical) One who enlists for military service in the place of a conscript.

verb

(transitive) To use in place of something else, with the same function.

(transitive, in the phrase "substitute X for Y") To use X in place of Y.

(intransitive) To serve as a replacement (for someone or something).

(transitive, sports) To remove (a player) from the field of play and bring on another in his place.

(transitive, formerly proscribed, in the phrase "substitute X with/by Y") To use Y in place of X; to replace X with Y.

Roots

subsub- · Latin · under, below statuo-stit · Latin · set up

Synonyms for substitute

replacementn replacev ersatzadj succedaneumn substitutionn alternateadj alternativen surrogateadj understudyn supplantv exchangen backupn reserven stopgapn

Synonyms & related words for substitute

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of substitute — including replacement, replace, ersatz, succedaneum, substitution, alternate. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to substitute

Explore words related to substitute — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include deputize, replacer, substitutive, subrogate, subbing, supersedure, benchwarmer, substitutable. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for substitute

Common synonyms for substitute include replacement, replace, ersatz, succedaneum, substitution, alternate, alternative, surrogate — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does substitute come from?

The word substitute breaks down into 2 roots of Latin origin: sub-, from Latin sub (“under, below”); and -stit, from Latin statuo (“set up”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.