substitute

1 of 2

noun

sub·​sti·​tute ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt 

-ˌtyüt

: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another

substitute adjective

substitute

2 of 2

verb

substituted; substituting

transitive verb

1

a

: to put or use in the place of another

b

: to introduce (an atom or group) as a substituent

also : to alter (something, such as a compound) by introduction of a substituent

a substituted benzene ring

2

: to take the place of : replace

intransitive verb

: to serve as a substitute

Synonyms

Noun

• backup
• cover
• designated hitter
• fill-in
• locum tenens
• pinch hitter
• relief
• replacement
• reserve
• stand-in
• sub

Verb

• change
• commute
• exchange
• shift
• swap
• switch
• trade

Examples of substitute in a Sentence

Noun

you'll be getting a substitute until your regular teacher is feeling better

if you like, you can use nuts as a substitute for coconut in that recipe

Verb

One of our teachers is sick, so we need someone to substitute.

They substituted real candles with electric ones.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

However, whatever ambition Newsom may have had if Joe Biden bowed out this year was dashed when Democratic leaders immediately anointed Harris as the substitute. —Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

Douglas Davies for Lincoln Township Seat 1: Davies has a background in licensed substitute teaching and is currently an operations manager. —Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024

Verb

Don’t substitute it for a squash or pumpkin that has stringy flesh like spaghetti squash or field pumpkin. —Claudia Alexander, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

Israel Foreign Minister Israel Katz criticized the U.N. as failing to address allegations that UNRWA staff in the Gaza Strip participated in Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, and said other international aid agencies are sufficient to substitute UNRWA’s work. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French substitut, from Latin substitutus, past participle of substituere to put in place of, from sub- + statuere to set up, place — more at statute

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing substitute

• substitute teacher

Kids Definition

substitute

1 of 2 noun

sub·​sti·​tute ˈsəb-stə-ˌt(y)üt 

: a person or thing that takes the place of another

substitute adjective

substitute

2 of 2 verb

substituted; substituting

1

: to put in the place of another : replace

2

: to serve as a substitute

substitution

ˌsəb-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən

noun

Medical Definition

substitute

1 of 2 noun

sub·​sti·​tute ˈsəb-stə-ˌt(y)üt 

: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another

father and mother substitutes

substitute adjective

substitute

2 of 2 transitive verb

substituted; substituting

: to put or use in the place of another: as

a

: to introduce (an atom or group) as a substituent

b

: to alter (as a compound) by introduction of a substituent