substitute
♦ sub|sti|tute /s'ʌbstɪtjuːt, AM -tuːt/ (substitutes substituting substituted)
1 [VERB] V n for n, V n, V for n, V for n
If you substitute one thing for another, or if one thing substitutes for another, it takes the place or performs the function of the other thing.
They were substituting violence for dialogue...
You could always substitute a low-fat soft cheese...
Would phone conversations substitute for cosy chats over lunch or in the pub after work?...
He was substituting for the injured William Wales.
● substitution [N-VAR] usu with supp, oft N of n
In my experience a straight substitution of carob for chocolate doesn't work...
2 [N-COUNT] oft N for n
A substitute is something that you have or use instead of something else.
...tests on humans to find a blood substitute made from animal blood.
3 [N-COUNT] with neg, usu sing, N for n
If you say that one thing is no substitute for another, you mean that it does not have certain desirable features that the other thing has, and is therefore unsatisfactory. If you say that there is no substitute for something, you mean that it is the only thing which is really satisfactory.
The printed word is no substitute for personal discussion with a great thinker...
There is no substitute for practical experience.
4 [N-COUNT]
In team games such as football, a substitute is a player who is brought into a match to replace another player.
Coming on as a substitute, he scored four crucial goals for Cameroon.sub|sti|tute teach|er (substitute teachers)
[N-COUNT]
A substitute teacher is a teacher whose job is to take the place of other teachers at different schools when they are unable to be there. (AM; in BRIT, use supply teacher)
1 [VERB] V n for n, V n, V for n, V for n
If you substitute one thing for another, or if one thing substitutes for another, it takes the place or performs the function of the other thing.
They were substituting violence for dialogue...
You could always substitute a low-fat soft cheese...
Would phone conversations substitute for cosy chats over lunch or in the pub after work?...
He was substituting for the injured William Wales.
● substitution [N-VAR] usu with supp, oft N of n
In my experience a straight substitution of carob for chocolate doesn't work...
2 [N-COUNT] oft N for n
A substitute is something that you have or use instead of something else.
...tests on humans to find a blood substitute made from animal blood.
3 [N-COUNT] with neg, usu sing, N for n
If you say that one thing is no substitute for another, you mean that it does not have certain desirable features that the other thing has, and is therefore unsatisfactory. If you say that there is no substitute for something, you mean that it is the only thing which is really satisfactory.
The printed word is no substitute for personal discussion with a great thinker...
There is no substitute for practical experience.
4 [N-COUNT]
In team games such as football, a substitute is a player who is brought into a match to replace another player.
Coming on as a substitute, he scored four crucial goals for Cameroon.sub|sti|tute teach|er (substitute teachers)
[N-COUNT]
A substitute teacher is a teacher whose job is to take the place of other teachers at different schools when they are unable to be there. (AM; in BRIT, use supply teacher)