# replace

/ˌɹiˈpɫeɪs/ (US) · /ɹɪplˈeɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/replace
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to substitute

verb · CEFR A2

to use a new person or thing instead of the one you had before.

For teachers: to provide a substitute for something or someone that is no longer present, functional, or desired.

- We decided to replace our old car with a more electric model.
- The manufacturer had to replace the faulty components with upgraded versions to prevent further mechanical failures across the fleet.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'with' or 'by'.

### 2. to take over a role

verb · CEFR B1

to take the place of someone in a job or position.

For teachers: to succeed someone in a specific role, office, or function.

- The company is looking for a new manager to replace Sarah when she leaves.
- It proved difficult to find a candidate with enough experience to replace the outgoing director, who had led the department for twenty years.

### 3. to put back

verb · CEFR B1

to put something back in the place where it is usually kept.

For teachers: to restore an object to its original or proper location.

- Please replace the books on the shelf after you have finished reading them.
- The librarian spent the afternoon replacing the reference volumes that students had left scattered across the study tables.

### 4. to pay back

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to give back money that has been lost or spent.

For teachers: to refund or repay a sum of money, especially to restore a fund to its previous level.

- The employee had to replace the missing funds from the petty cash box.
- The insurance policy requires the claimant to replace the depreciated value of the assets before the final settlement is issued.

## Examples

- I need to replace the batteries in this remote.
- The manager decided to replace the old computers with faster models to improve the team's productivity.
- While digital streaming has largely replaced physical media for casual listening, many collectors argue that vinyl records offer a tactile experience that modern technology cannot replicate.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.