substitute
pronunciation
How to pronounce substitute in British English:
UK [ˈsʌbstɪtjuːt]
How to pronounce substitute in American English:
US [ˈsʌbstɪtuːt]
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- Noun:
- a person or thing that takes or can take the place of another
- an athlete who plays only when another member of the team drops out
- someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult)
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- Verb:
- put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items
- be a substitute
- act as a substitute
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- Adjective:
- being a replacement or substitute for a regular member of a team
- capable of substituting in any of several positions on a team
- artificial and inferior
Word Origin
- substitute
- substitute: see statue
- substitute (v.)
- early 15c. (transitive), from Latin substitutus, past participle of substituere "put in place of another" (see substitution). Transitive use is from 1888. Related: Substituted; substituting.
- substitute (n.)
- "one who acts in place of another," early 15c., from Middle French substitut (noun use) and directly from Latin substitutus, past participle of substituere "put in place of another" (see substitution). Military draft sense is from 1777, American English. Team sports sense is from 1849. Of foodstuffs, from 1879. As an adjective from early 15c.
Example
- 1. Substitute processed carbs with whole grains whenever possible .
- 2. Don 't substitute your smartphone for your brain .
- 3. Natural yoghurt makes a good substitute .
- 4. The federalists substitute efficiency for legitimacy .
- 5. Fresh water is essential for life , with no substitute .