stead
5 synonyms for stead, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The place or role of someone or something, especially when taken over by a replacement, as in "in his stead."
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use stead
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
in his stead
stand someone in good stead
Fairly formal or literary outside of these fixed phrases.
Etymology
From Old English stede, "place, position," from a Germanic root also seen in "steady" and "instead."
Full origin of stead →Frequently asked questions
What does “stead” mean?
The word “stead” means the place or role of someone or something, especially when taken over by a replacement, as in "in his stead.". In plain terms, mostly survives today in set phrases — "in someone's stead" (in their place) and "stand in good stead" (prove useful later).
How do you pronounce “stead”?
“Stead” is pronounced stehd (/stɛd/ in IPA).
How do you use “stead” in a sentence?
Here is “stead” used in a sentence: “When the manager fell ill, her assistant took over in her stead.”
What part of speech is “stead”?
Depending on how it is used, “stead” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “stead” come from?
The word “stead” comes from Old English. From Old English stede, "place, position," from a Germanic root also seen in "steady" and "instead.".
Is “stead” a common word?
“Stead” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “stead” have?
“Stead” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the place or role of someone or something, especially when taken over by a replacement, as in "in his stead.".
