First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1substitute
noun sub·sti·tute \ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt, -ˌtyüt\
: a person or thing that takes the place of someone or something else
sports : a player who takes the place of another player during a game
Full Definition of SUBSTITUTE
: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another
— substitute adjective
See substitute defined for English-language learners
See substitute defined for kids
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Origin of SUBSTITUTE
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
Related to SUBSTITUTE
- Synonyms
- backup, cover, designated hitter, fill-in, locum tenens, pinch hitter, relief, replacement, reserve, stand-in, sub
Rhymes with SUBSTITUTE
absolute, Aleut, arrowroot, Asyût, attribute, autoroute, bandicoot, bathing suit, birthday suit, bitterroot, bodysuit, boilersuit, bumbershoot, business suit, comminute, constitute, contribute, convolute, destitute, disrepute, dissolute, execute, follow suit, gingerroot, hot pursuit, institute, involute, kiwifruit, leisure suit, malamute, overshoot, parachute, passion fruit, persecute, point-and-shoot, prosecute, prostitute, qiviut, resolute, restitute, revolute, run-and-shoot, rural route, subacute, troubleshoot, undershoot
2substitute
verb
: to put or use (someone or something) in place of someone or something else
: to do the job of someone else or serve the function of something else
: to replace (one person or thing) with another
substitut·edsubstitut·ing
Full Definition of SUBSTITUTE
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 (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
See substitute defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SUBSTITUTE
circa 1594
SUBSTITUTE Defined for Kids
1substitute
noun sub·sti·tute \ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt, -ˌtyüt\
Definition of SUBSTITUTE for Kids
: a person or thing that takes the place of another
2substitute
verb
sub·sti·tut·edsub·sti·tut·ing
Definition of SUBSTITUTE for Kids
1
: to put in the place of another
2
: to take the place of another <Honey can substitute for sugar in the recipe.>
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