substitute
SUB-stuh-toot
/ˈsʌbstɪtuːt/
A person or thing acting or serving in place of another.
In a culinary context, it implies a functional replacement that mimics the properties of the original ingredient.
The story behind the word. From 'sub' (under/in place of) and 'statuere' (to set or place). It literally means to set something in the place where something else used to be.
Word relationships
- replacement: Replacement is more general; substitute often implies a temporary or functional mimicry.
- alternative: An alternative is a different choice; a substitute is specifically intended to fill the same role.
- original: The initial item that the substitute is replacing.
Commonly confused with
- alternative: An alternative is another option (e.g., water instead of soda); a substitute mimics the original (e.g., diet soda instead of soda).
Word family
- substitution (noun): The act of replacing one thing with another.
Collocations
- meat substitute
- dairy substitute
- suitable substitute
- substitute for
Idioms & expressions
- accept no substitutes
Example sentences
- "You can use applesauce as a substitute for eggs in many vegan baking recipes." Cooking instructions.
- "The company developed a meat substitute that sizzles and bleeds like real beef." Food technology.
Memory hook
Think of a 'Sub' teacher—they are 'set' in the 'place' of your regular teacher. Set in place of.
When not to use
Don't use 'substitute' if the new item is completely different and doesn't try to mimic the original; that's just an 'alternative'.
Fun facts
- Margarine was originally created as a cheap substitute for butter for the French navy in 1869.
Related words
Explore more words
substitution, understudy, successor, counterpart, replacement, culinary
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.