Instead
/ɪnˈsted/
Definitions
In place of something else; as an alternative.
/ɪnˈsted/
In place of; as an alternative.
Instead of going to the park, we stayed home.
💡 Simply: Instead means to pick something else. Like, instead of pizza for dinner, you might have tacos! It’s choosing one thing over another.
👶 For kids: If you don't want one thing, you can have something else instead!
More Examples
She decided to walk instead of taking the bus.
He chose to eat an apple instead of a candy bar.
How It's Used
"I'll have tea instead of coffee."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
instead of (doing something)
Used to introduce an alternative action or choice to avoid doing something.
"Instead of studying, she went to the movies."
From Middle English *in stede*, meaning "in the place of," from Old English *in stede* (ablative of *stede*, meaning "place, position").
Historically, 'instead' was often followed by the preposition 'of'. Its usage in modern English largely remains consistent with its historical roots.
Memory tip
Think of 'instead' as what you choose *in* *stead* of something else.
Word Origin
"place"