substitute

Academic Word List, sublist 5.

About 12.79 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To use in place of something else, with the same function.

   I had no shallots so I substituted onion.

2. verb To use X in place of Y.

   I had to substitute new parts for the old ones.

3. verb To use Y in place of X; to replace X with Y.

   I had to substitute old parts with the new ones.

4. verb To remove (a player) from the field of play and bring on another in his place.

   He was playing poorly and was substituted after twenty minutes

5. verb To serve as a replacement (for someone or something).
6. noun A replacement or stand-in for something that achieves a similar result or purpose.
7. noun A substitute teacher.
8. noun A player who is available to replace another if the need arises, and who may or may not actually do so.

Similar words

replacement fill-in stand in step in fill in replace utility deputize reserve secondary

Often followed by

for the a in to one is and of

Word family

substituted substitutes substituting substitution