Definitions for instead
ɪnˈstɛdin·stead

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

1. alternatively, instead, or else(adverb)

   in place of, or as an alternative to

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

2. rather, instead(adverb)

   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. instead(Adverb)

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

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

   Etymology: from ine + stede.

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

1. Instead(adverb)

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

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

2. Instead(adverb)

   equivalent; equal to; -- usually with of

   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

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

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. Delcianna Winders:

   I think there are two interrelated things underlying this new secrecy, an overt push by the agency to move away from regulating and enforcing and instead toward treating regulated entities as clients to whom they provide services.

2. Van Pelt:

   This is exactly what the boys always depend on -- that we'll be divided and tearing each other down, and when we're divided instead of fighting the patriarchy, we lose ground.

3. Robert McKeeman:

   We have real-time communication through GPS, so the police stations know where the officer is at all times, if he goes off on a chase, they know where he is. If he goes completely out of contact, they know where he is. They can even determine if he is lying horizontal instead of vertical and issue an emergency response.

4. Ken Catania:

   The first time I read von Humboldt's tale, I thought it was completely bizarre, why would the eels attack the horses instead of swimming away?

5. John Hannah:

   At every turn, the American people can see with their own eyes how tragically wrong the President has been, instead of being the JV team, they turn out to be the most powerful terrorist group in history.

Images & Illustrations of instead

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