Definitions for instead
ɪnˈstɛdin·stead

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. alternatively, instead, or elseadverb

   in place of, or as an alternative to

   "Felix became a herpetologist instead"; "alternatively we could buy a used car"

2. rather, insteadadverb

   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"

Wiktionary(2.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. insteadadverb

   In the place of something (usually mentioned earlier); as a substitute or alternative

   I was going to go shopping, but I went dancing instead.

2. Etymology: from ine + stede.

Webster Dictionary(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Insteadadverb

   in the place or room; -- usually followed by of

2. Insteadadverb

   equivalent; equal to; -- usually with of

3. Etymology: [Pref. in- + stead place.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Instead

   in-sted′, adv. in the stead, place, or room of. [M. E. in stede—A.S. on stede, in the place.]

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'instead' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1359

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'instead' in Written Corpus Frequency: #2635

3. Adverbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'instead' in Adverbs Frequency: #126

Anagrams for instead »

1. stained

2. sainted

3. detains

How to pronounce instead?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say instead in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of instead in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of instead in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of instead in a Sentence

1. Joseph Darby:

   I think he would have been rebuked instead of fired, but maybe it changes the way he sees things.

2. Brock Silvers:

   Exploding marketing expense is consuming the company, investors are rejecting management's explanation of rising costs as mere investment, and instead see a possible wobbly business model in competition with larger, better funded rivals.

3. Unknown:

   It is easy to bring others down to your level, Instead of bringing yourself up to their level, But it is never ever right.

4. Donald Trump:

   I am honored, however, that she is attacking me, instead of Jeb Bush, obviously, she knows that JEB is no longer her real competition.

5. Deodatta V. Shenai-Khatkhate:

   Don't waste your precious time in either dwelling in the Past, or dreaming of the Future. Focus on the Present instead. Life is like a Newspaper, which is as good as the freshness of the news it brings everyday. Always be in sync with the Present!

Popularity rank by frequency of use