What does "substitute" mean?

1. (a replacement thing) a thing that you use instead of something else. 2. (sports/team) a player who replaces another player during a match. 3. (a replacement teacher) a teacher who works in a school when the regular teacher is ill or away. 4. (to use instead of) to use one person or thing instead of another. 5. (to act as a replacement) to do someone else's job for a short time while they are away.

How do you use "substitute"?

Takes the preposition 'for' to indicate the original item being replaced. Usually followed by the preposition 'for'.

Is it correct to say "You can substitute honey by sugar."?

No — say "You can substitute honey for sugar.". Use the preposition 'for' to indicate the thing being replaced.

substitute

n. · v.

US //ˈsəbstəˌtut// UK //sˈʌbstɪtjˌuːt// sub·sti·tute

1 a replacement thing (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a thing that you use instead of something else.

a person or thing acting or serving in place of another.

Example

If you do not have any butter, margarine is a good substitute for this cake recipe.

Example

The chef suggested using coconut milk as a dairy-free substitute, though he warned it might slightly alter the final texture of the sauce.
- original
2 sports/team (n.)
B1 Intermediate Sport

a player who replaces another player during a match.

a player who is designated to replace another during a match, often for tactical reasons or due to injury.

Example

The coach brought on a substitute in the second half to help the tired team.

Example

The manager made a double substitution in the final ten minutes, hoping the fresh legs of the substitutes would break the defensive deadlock.
- reserve
- benchwarmer
- starter

Show 3 more sensesShow fewer

3 a replacement teacher (n.)
B1 Intermediate American English

a teacher who works in a school when the regular teacher is ill or away.

a teacher who fills a temporary vacancy, typically on a day-to-day basis. Often used as a compound noun 'substitute teacher'.

Example

Our regular math teacher was sick, so a substitute taught the class today.

Example

The substitute struggled to maintain order in the classroom as the students took advantage of the regular teacher's absence.
- supply teacher
- stand in
4 to use instead of (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to use one person or thing instead of another.

to put or use a person or thing in place of another.

Example

You can substitute honey for sugar if you want a different flavour.

Example

The recipe allows you to substitute Greek yoghurt for heavy cream to reduce the overall fat content without sacrificing the creamy consistency.

Usage

Takes the preposition 'for' to indicate the original item being replaced.
- keep
- retain
Pitfall

You can substitute honey by sugar.

You can substitute honey for sugar.

Use the preposition 'for' to indicate the thing being replaced.
5 to act as a replacement (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to do someone else's job for a short time while they are away.

to serve as a replacement for someone else.

Example

I had to substitute for my colleague while she was at the hospital.

Example

The junior partner was asked to substitute for the lead attorney during the preliminary hearing due to a sudden scheduling conflict.

Usage

Usually followed by the preposition 'for'.
- fill in
- stand in
- cover

Origin

From Middle English substituten, from Latin substitutus, past participle of substituō, from sub- (“under; beneath”) + statuō (“to put up; establish”).