Substitute Definition & Meaning

substitute
adjective
  1. capable of substituting in any of several positions on a team; "a utility infielder"
  2. serving or used in place of another; "an alternative plan"
  3. artificial and inferior; "ersatz coffee"; "substitute coffee"
noun
  1. a person or thing that takes or can take the place of another
  2. an athlete who plays only when a starter on the team is replaced
  3. someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult); "the star had a stand-in for dangerous scenes"; "we need extra employees for summer fill- ins"
verb
  1. put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items; "the con artist replaced the original with a fake Rembrandt"; "substitute regular milk with fat-free milk"; "synonyms can be interchanged without a changing the context's meaning"
  2. be a substitute; "The young teacher had to substitute for the sick colleague"; "The skim milk substitutes for cream--we are on a strict diet"
  3. act as a substitute; "She stood in for the soprano who suffered from a cold"

"Substitute" in song lyrics

See how substitute is used in real songs:

  • "the only one life who qualifies to substitute"
    The Cross Movement — Spare Rituals
  • "Destruction, and I could never be a substitute"
    Finesse & Synquis — We Can Do This
  • "Hat to a tilt and a felt substitute"
    Kwame — Oneovdabigboiz

Usage tips for "substitute"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "substitute" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for substitute to find words that pair well.

Use "substitute" in a verse

Now that you know what "substitute" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

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