instead in English: In place of something else, as a different choice from the first one. (adverb)

Translation

In place of something else, as a different choice from the first one.

Word origin

From Middle English in stede, meaning in the place of, from stede (place).

Origin: Middle English
Root: in stede

Examples

, .

"Instead" means we did this in place of shopping.

, .

"Instead" shows water was the other choice.

.

"Instead of" means in place of the bus.

We use instead to say that you do or choose one thing in place of another. If the lift is broken and you take the stairs instead, the stairs replace the lift. We often say instead of before the thing we did not pick.

Related words

again

One more time, doing the same thing as before.

enough

As much as you need, not too little and not too much.

almost

Very nearly, but not quite all the way or not quite complete.

together

With each other, as a group, in the same place at the same time.

now

At this moment, at the present time.

otherwise

If not; used to say what will happen if the first thing is not done.

rather

Quite; to some degree. It can also mean instead, as in would rather.

replace

To put a new thing where an old one was, or to take the place of someone.

Where this fits

The 1,000 most common English words

Where this word sits in the core vocabulary, and what to learn around it.

English vocabulary by CEFR level

How many words each level actually needs, with real counts.

Used in

Stories

(5)

Grammar articles

(34)

Add to review queue

Track this word in your spaced-repetition queue and be tested on it at the right interval.

Go to my review queue