verb
substitute
SUHB-stih-choot
verb
1
To use one thing or person in place of another.
"You can substitute honey for sugar in this recipe."
"The coach substituted a fresh striker for the tired one."
noun
1
A person or thing used in place of another.
"The teacher was out sick, so a substitute took the class."
How to Use Substitute
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA stand-in — something or someone that takes the place of another.
Memory tip
The pattern is "substitute X for Y," meaning you put X in place of Y — it's easy to get the order backwards.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
substitute teacher
substitute for
adequate substitute
Word Forms
substituted past tense, substitutes singular
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Fill the Gap
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You can _____ honey for sugar in this recipe.
Etymology
From Latin substitutus, past participle of substituere, from sub- ("in place of") plus statuere ("to set up").