instead
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in·stead
(ĭn-stĕd′)adv.
1. In the place of something previously mentioned; as a substitute or an equivalent: Having planned to drive, we walked instead.
2. In preference; as an alternative: yearned instead for a home and family.
[Middle English in sted of, in place of : in, in; see in1 + stede, place; see stead + of, of; see of.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
instead
(ɪnˈstɛd)adv
1. as a replacement, substitute, or alternative
2. instead of (preposition) in place of or as an alternative to
[C13: from phrase in stead in place]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
in•stead
(ɪnˈstɛd)adv.
1. as a substitute or replacement; in the place or stead of someone or something.
2. as an accepted alternative; in preference.
Idioms: instead of, in place of.
[1175–1225]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
instead
– instead of1. 'instead'
Instead is an adverb. You use it when saying what someone does rather than doing something else.
Hema did not answer. Instead she looked out of the taxi window.
I felt like crying, but I managed to smile instead.
2. 'instead of'
Instead of is a preposition. You use it to introduce something that is not done, not used, or not true, in contrast to something that is done, is used, or is true.
Why not use your bike to get to work instead of your car?
You can have rice instead of potatoes.
You can say that someone does something instead of doing something else.
You could always go camping instead of staying in a hotel.
Why don't you help, instead of standing there and watching?
Be Careful!
Don't say that someone does something 'instead to do' something else.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Adv. | 1. | instead - in place of, or as an alternative to; "Felix became a herpetologist instead"; "alternatively we could buy a used car" |
| 2. | instead - on the contrary; "rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he left"; "he didn't call; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter"; "used English terms instead of Latin ones" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
instead
adverb rather, alternatively, preferably, in preference, in lieu, on second thoughts Forget about dieting and eat normally instead.
instead of in place of, rather than, in preference to, in lieu of, in contrast with, as an alternative or equivalent to She had to spend four months away, instead of the usual two.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
instead
[ɪnˈsted]A. ADV I was tempted to spend the money, but I put it in the bank instead → tuve la tentación de gastar el dinero, pero en lugar de ello or en vez de eso, lo metí en el banco
she wanted to run away, but instead she carried on walking → quería echar a correr, pero sin embargo siguió andando
she's allergic to soap, so she uses cleanser instead → es alérgica al jabón, así es que usa una crema limpiadora en su lugar
he was busy, so I went instead → él estaba ocupado, así es que fui yo en su lugar
we had expected to make £2,000, instead, we barely made £200 → esperábamos sacar unas 2.000 libras y en cambio apenas sacamos 200
she wanted to run away, but instead she carried on walking → quería echar a correr, pero sin embargo siguió andando
she's allergic to soap, so she uses cleanser instead → es alérgica al jabón, así es que usa una crema limpiadora en su lugar
he was busy, so I went instead → él estaba ocupado, así es que fui yo en su lugar
we had expected to make £2,000, instead, we barely made £200 → esperábamos sacar unas 2.000 libras y en cambio apenas sacamos 200
B. PREP instead of → en vez de, en lugar de
I used margarine instead of butter → usé margarina en vez de or en lugar de mantequilla
we decided to walk instead of taking the bus → decidimos andar en vez de or en lugar de tomar el autobús
he went instead of me → fue en mi lugar
this is instead of a Christmas present → esto hace las veces de regalo de Navidad
I used margarine instead of butter → usé margarina en vez de or en lugar de mantequilla
we decided to walk instead of taking the bus → decidimos andar en vez de or en lugar de tomar el autobús
he went instead of me → fue en mi lugar
this is instead of a Christmas present → esto hace las veces de regalo de Navidad
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
instead
(inˈsted) adverb as a substitute; in place of something or someone. I don't like coffee. Could I please have tea instead?en su lugar, en cambio
instead of in place of. Please take me instead of him; You should have been working instead of watching television.en vez de
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
instead
→ en cambioMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009