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.

Origin: from ine + stede.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Instead(adverb)

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

2. Instead(adverb)

   equivalent; equal to; -- usually with of

Origin: [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. Cometan:

   Fight not, learn instead.

2. Josh Groban:

   Instead of telling us to leave.

3. His Committee:

   Instead, the memo says Kris Kobach.

4. Elbert Hubbard:

   Live truth instead of professing it.

5. Jordan Matson:

   Here, instead, everything makes sense.

Images & Illustrations of instead

Popularity rank by frequency of use