verb B1 Intermediate Common

substitute

SUHB-stih-choot

Substitute (verb) means to use one thing or person in place of another. Example: “You can substitute honey for sugar in this recipe.”

verb

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

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 notes

In 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

Can you complete this real example?

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").

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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replacement stand-in alternative fill-in surrogate proxy swap

Related words

other hit trade choice acting option agent alternative

Rhymes for substitute

ute cute mute lute flute acute haute brute chute route minute refute

See all rhymes for substitute →

Frequently asked questions

What does “substitute” mean?

The word “substitute” means to use one thing or person in place of another. In plain terms, a stand-in — something or someone that takes the place of another.

How do you pronounce “substitute”?

“Substitute” is pronounced SUHB-stih-choot (/ˈsʌb.stɪ.tʃuːt/ in IPA).

How do you use “substitute” in a sentence?

Here is “substitute” used in a sentence: “You can substitute honey for sugar in this recipe.”

What is another word for “substitute”?

Words with a similar meaning to “substitute” include swap.

What part of speech is “substitute”?

Depending on how it is used, “substitute” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “substitute” come from?

The word “substitute” comes from Latin. From Latin substitutus, past participle of substituere, from sub- ("in place of") plus statuere ("to set up").

Is “substitute” a common word?

“Substitute” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “substitute” have?

“Substitute” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to use one thing or person in place of another.

What is the difference between "substitute" and "replace"?

To "replace" usually means to remove something permanently and put a new thing in its place, while to "substitute" often implies a temporary or interchangeable swap. You substitute one ingredient for another in a recipe, but you replace a broken part.

Do you say "substitute for" or "substitute with"?

In careful usage you substitute one thing for another, where the new item takes the old one's place, as in "substitute margarine for butter." "Substitute with" is increasingly common in speech but is traditionally considered less precise.

What is the difference between a "substitute" and a "replacement"?

A "substitute" is often a temporary or alternative stand-in, such as a substitute teacher who fills in for the day, whereas a "replacement" usually implies a more permanent successor. Both refer to a person or thing used in place of another.

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