substitute Definition
- 1a person or thing that takes the place of another
- 2a sports player who is brought on to replace another player during a game
Using substitute: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "substitute" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
I used honey as a substitute for sugar in this recipe.
Example
The teacher found a substitute to cover her class while she was away.
Example
The substitute player scored the winning goal.
Example
He was a poor substitute for his predecessor.
substitute Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using substitute
nothing can replace or be as good as something else
Example
There is no substitute for hard work if you want to succeed in life.
a person or thing that is not as good as the original
Example
The new singer was a poor substitute for the previous one.
to replace one thing with another
Example
I substituted olive oil for butter in this recipe.
Phrases with substitute
a person or thing that can be used instead of another
Example
Yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream in this recipe.
substitute teacher
a teacher who replaces the regular teacher when they are absent
Example
The substitute teacher had a hard time controlling the class.
a bench where substitute players sit during a game
Example
The coach signaled to the substitute bench to bring in a new player.
Origins of substitute
from Latin 'substitutus', past participle of 'substituere', meaning 'put in place of'
Summary: substitute in Brief
The term 'substitute' [ˈsʌbstɪtjuːt] refers to a person or thing that takes the place of another, such as a replacement teacher or a sports player. It can also denote using one thing instead of another, like honey as a substitute for sugar. Idioms like 'no substitute for' emphasize the irreplaceable nature of something, while 'poor substitute' implies a lack of quality. 'Substitute' can also be used as a verb, meaning to replace something with another.