substitute
gb/sˈʌbstətˌut/ us/sˈʌbstətˌut/
B1
English
~ 6100
helyettesítő, helyettesít, behelyettesít, cserejátékos, cserél, becserél, lecserél, helyettesítő tanár, megbízott
NOUN
B1
1
helyettesítő
B1
Usage pattern:
a substitute for [something/someone]
If you don't have vanilla, you can use almond extract as a substitute.
Ha nincs vaníliád, helyettesítőként használhatsz mandulakivonatot.
Many people drink soy milk as a substitute for cow's milk.
Sokan a szójatejet a tehéntej helyettesítőjeként isszák.
We need a substitute for Mark while he is on leave.
There is no perfect substitute for fresh ingredients.
Learner examples
I used honey as a substitute for sugar.
Cukor helyett mézet használtam.
They found a substitute for the broken part.
Találtak egy helyettesítő darabot a törött alkatrész helyére.
We need a substitute for our manager this week.
Water is not a good substitute for milk in this recipe.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "substitute" (the thing used instead) with "replacement" as a verb. "Substitute" in this sense is a noun: you say "a substitute for sugar", not *"a sugar substitute for".
Meaning
person or thing used instead
Collocations
a good substitute
|a suitable substitute
|a direct substitute
|as a substitute for
|a sugar substitute
|a meat substitute
Synonyms
replacement (Very close in meaning; often slightly more formal and common in written English.)
|
stand-in (Informal; more often used for people, especially in work or performance situations.)
Antonyms
original (Refers to the first or usual person or thing, not the one used instead.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|food
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person or thing that is used instead of another person or thing.
A person or thing that takes the place of another person or thing, especially for a short time or when the usual one is not available.
VERB
B2
2
helyettesít
B1
Usage pattern:
substitute [A] for [B]
You can substitute yogurt for sour cream in this recipe.
Ebben a receptben a tejfölt joghurttal helyettesítheted.
In this equation, substitute 3 for x and solve.
Ebben az egyenletben helyettesítsd be a 3-at az x helyére, és oldd meg.
If you don’t eat meat, you can substitute tofu for chicken.
We had to substitute a different material for the original one due to cost.
Learner examples
You can substitute rice for bread if you like.
Ha szeretnéd, a kenyeret rizzsel is helyettesítheted.
Substitute water for milk if you are allergic.
Ha allergiás vagy a tejre, helyettesítsd a tejet vízzel.
In the test, substitute 10 for n in the formula.
She substituted fruit juice for soda.
Common mistake:
Many learners mix up the pattern with "replace". With "substitute" the most standard pattern is "substitute A for B" (use A instead of B). With "replace" you usually say "replace B with A" (put A instead of B). Some speakers do say "substitute B with A", but many style guides prefer "substitute A for B" for clarity.
Meaning
use one thing instead of another
Collocations
substitute butter for oil
|substitute A for B
|can substitute
|easily substitute
|freely substitute ingredients
Synonyms
replace (Very close in meaning; more common overall and slightly simpler, but the grammar pattern is different ("replace B with A" vs. "substitute A for B").)
Antonyms
keep (To continue using the same person or thing instead of changing it for another.)
Themes
daily life
|cooking
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To use one person or thing in place of another person or thing.
To use one person or thing instead of another person or thing.
NOUN
B1
3
cserejátékos
B1
Usage pattern:
a substitute for [a player]
The coach brought on a substitute in the final minutes.
Az edző az utolsó percekben becserélt egy cserejátékost.
She started the match on the bench as a substitute.
Cserejátékosként kezdte a mérkőzést a kispadon.
Our substitutes made a big difference in the second half.
He came on as a late substitute and scored the winning goal.
Learner examples
He was a substitute in the football game.
Cserejátékos volt a focimeccsen.
The team used all of their substitutes.
A csapat az összes cserejátékosát bevetette.
She came on as a substitute and scored.
I was only a substitute, not a starting player.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the noun "substitute" (the player) with the verb "to substitute" (the action of changing players). "The coach used a substitute" is about the person; "The coach substituted the player" is about the action.
Meaning
player who comes on instead
Collocations
make a substitute
|use all their substitutes
|second-half substitute
|late substitute
|named as a substitute
|unused substitute
Synonyms
reserve (Often used in sports for a player who is not in the starting team but may come on later; slightly more formal than "sub".)
Antonyms
starter (A player who begins the game on the field, not one who comes on later.)
Themes
sports
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A sports player who comes into the game to take another player's place.
In sports, a player who replaces another player during a game.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
substitute [player] for [player]
The coach substituted Lopez for Garcia at half-time.
Az edző a félidőben Garciát Lopezre cserélte.
They substituted their star player late in the match to rest him.
A mérkőzés végén lecserélték a sztárjátékosukat, hogy pihenhessen.
She was substituted after she twisted her ankle.
The manager refused to substitute any players before the break.
Learner examples
The coach substituted a new player in the second half.
Az edző a második félidőben becserélt egy új játékost.
They substituted their tired goalkeeper.
Lecserélték a fáradt kapusukat.
She was substituted after 60 minutes.
The team did not substitute any players.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"substitute out" or *"substitute off" by copying other verbs. Instead, say "substitute [player]" or "substitute [player] for [player]", or use "take [player] off" in informal speech.
Meaning
replace one player with another
Collocations
substitute him at half-time
|substitute her for the injured player
|substitute freely
|refuse to substitute
|substitute late in the game
Synonyms
replace (Very similar meaning; in sports talk, "bring on" or "take off" are also common, but more informal and multi-word.)
Antonyms
keep on (To leave the same player in the game instead of changing them.)
Themes
sports
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To remove one player from a game and put another player in instead.
In sports, to take one player off the field and put another player in their place.
NOUN
B1
5
Usage pattern:
a substitute in [class/grade]
We had a substitute in math today because our teacher was sick.
Ma matematikából helyettesítő tanárunk volt, mert a tanárunk beteg volt.
She works as a substitute at several local schools.
Helyettesítő tanárként dolgozik több helyi iskolában.
The school called a substitute when the science teacher went on leave.
Finding a substitute at short notice can be difficult.
Learner examples
We had a substitute today in English class.
Ma angolórán helyettesítő tanárunk volt.
My mother is a substitute at a primary school.
Az anyukám helyettesítő tanár egy általános iskolában.
The school needs a substitute for two weeks.
They called a substitute because the teacher was ill.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "substitute" here is always followed by "teacher". In many school contexts, especially in North America, people often just say "a substitute" and it is understood that this means a substitute teacher.
Meaning
teacher who replaces regular teacher
Collocations
have a substitute today
|call in a substitute
|work as a substitute
|hire a substitute
|a long-term substitute
Synonyms
supply teacher (Common in British English for a teacher who replaces another for a short time; "substitute" is more common in North American English.)
Antonyms
regular teacher (The normal, permanent teacher for the class, not the temporary one.)
Themes
education
|work
Definition
A teacher who works in a class when the normal teacher is not there.
A teacher who takes a class for a short time when the usual teacher is absent.
B2
6
helyettesítő
B1
megbízott
B2
Usage pattern:
substitute [noun]
The company appointed a substitute manager during her maternity leave.
A cég megbízott vezetőt nevezett ki arra az időre, amíg ő szülési szabadságon volt.
He worked as a substitute driver while the regular one was away.
Helyettesítő sofőrként dolgozott, amíg az állandó sofőr távol volt.
We bought a substitute product until the usual brand was back in stock.
The team had to rely on a substitute goalkeeper in the final.
Learner examples
We have a substitute teacher this week.
Ezen a héten helyettesítő tanárunk van.
They hired a substitute driver for the day.
Aznapra helyettesítő sofőrt vettek fel.
She is the substitute manager this month.
The store sells a substitute product when the main one is out.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse adjective and noun uses, saying *"He is a substitute teacher teacher". Use it once, either as an adjective ("substitute teacher") or as a noun ("a substitute").
Meaning
serving as a replacement
Collocations
substitute teacher
|substitute product
|substitute goalkeeper
|substitute host
|substitute leader
Synonyms
temporary (Focuses more on the short time, while "substitute" focuses on taking the place of someone or something.)
Antonyms
permanent (Describes someone or something that is not just filling in or acting as a replacement.)
Themes
work
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Doing the job of another person or thing for a short time.
Acting or used in place of someone or something else, especially for a limited time.
Grammar
Dictionary form
substitute
IPA
GB/sˈʌbstətˌut/
US/sˈʌbstətˌut/
Syllables & stress
sub - sti - tute (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sub)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: substitute
- Plural: substitutes
Verb
- Base: substitute
- 3rd Person Singular: substitutes
- Present Participle: substituting
- Past: substituted
Word family
Forms
substitutes
noun
substituting
verb
substituted
verb
Core family
substitution
noun B2
Advanced or less common
substitutable
adjective
Expressions
as a substitute for
1/ˈæz ə sˈʌbstətˌut fɚ/
fixed phrase
used instead of something else
Used to say that one thing is used instead of another thing.
Examples
- Many people now use plant milk as a substitute for dairy milk.
- He used email as a substitute for face-to-face meetings.
- They hired temporary staff as a substitute for full-time employees during the busy season.
no substitute for
1/nˈoʊ sˈʌbstətˌut fɚ/
idiom
nothing else is as good as
Used to say that something is very important and nothing else can be as good as it.
Examples
- There is no substitute for hard work.
- For learning a language, there is no substitute for regular practice.
- Good communication is no substitute for real trust, but it is a start.
substitute A for B
1/sˈʌbstətˌut ə fɚ bˈi/
fixed phrase
use A instead of B
To use A in place of B; to put A instead of B.
Examples
- You can substitute olive oil for butter in this dish.
- If you don't have cream, substitute milk for it.
- In the formula, substitute 5 for x and solve the problem.
substitute for
1/sˈʌbstətˌut fɚ/
fixed phrase
be used instead of something
To be or be used in place of someone or something.
Examples
- Nothing can substitute for a good night's sleep.
- In this recipe, applesauce can substitute for butter.
- Online courses cannot fully substitute for classroom experience.
substitute teacher
1/sˈʌbstətˌut tˈit͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
teacher who fills in temporarily
A teacher who takes a class when the normal teacher is not there.
Examples
- We had a substitute teacher in science today.
- She works as a substitute teacher at three different schools.
- The substitute teacher introduced herself at the start of class.
substitute with
1/sˈʌbstətˌut wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
replace something using something else
To use something else in place of a thing that you remove or do not use.
Examples
- In this recipe, you can substitute sugar with honey.
- Many companies have substituted plastic with paper packaging.
- You may substitute the missing part with any similar piece.