Definition of 'instead'

Word Frequency

instead

(ɪnsted )

2. adverb

If you do not do something, but do something else instead, you do the second thing and not the first thing, as the result of a choice or a change of behaviour.

He reached for the glass but did not drink, pushed it, instead, across the table towards Joanna.

The kitchen might have been workable had Nicola kept it tidy; instead it was littered with pots and pans.

I decided to forget about dieting all the time and eat normally instead.

Synonyms: rather, alternatively, preferably, in preference More Synonyms of instead

Video: pronunciation of 'instead'

Word Frequency

instead in British

(ɪnˈstɛd )

adverb

as a replacement, substitute, or alternative

2. instead of

Word origin of 'instead'

C13: from phrase in stead in place

Word Frequency

instead in American

(ɪnˈstɛd ; instedˈ)

adverb

in place of the person or thing mentioned: as an alternative or substitute

to feel like crying and laugh instead

Idioms:

instead of

Word origin of 'instead'

in1 + stead

Example sentences containing 'instead'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Sign up for that course or enter that competition instead of just thinking about it. The Sun (2016)Firm in your belief that the sheep can be herded somewhere else instead. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Instead of just having innovative ideas, you have the tenacity to deal with the details. The Sun (2016)But let's be more generous about it and instead credit the boxer concerned with having had the imagination to improvise. Times, Sunday Times (2016)I'll go and eat a drone this morning instead of something else. Times, Sunday Times (2016)But you know how you'll spend all that glorious, affluent free time instead? Times, Sunday Times (2016)Let's just talk about crime, instead. Times, Sunday Times (2016)He added:'She then used it all the time but instead of sitting on it she would stand on it. The Sun (2017)Love success means focusing on your relationship instead of talking about the past. The Sun (2016)That becomes a way of lifting up the whole city instead of just your tribe. Christianity Today (2000)Maybe you can persuade your ex to see her somewhere else instead of at their home. The Sun (2012)What could humanity have done with the time instead? Times, Sunday Times (2015)Look for variety between the two of you instead of going elsewhere for your fun. The Sun (2009)You open one good bottle of wine instead of three mediocre ones. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Instead of moving towards one another we would coexist alongside one another. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Instead she just keeps muttering to herself. Times, Sunday Times (2015)How about we decide to see something else instead and change the channel? The Sun (2014)Try not to cram too many meetings into your day and instead take time to prepare properly. Times, Sunday Times (2015)After a while it became clear that she was drifting away from land instead of towards it. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Instead it was just an exhibition of tackling techniques. Times, Sunday Times (2006)He was keen to talk about something else instead. The Sun (2009)He asked me to go instead. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Instead of daydreaming about changes, you are ready and able to make them. The Sun (2012)Not a penny, put the cash you would have spent towards your petrol instead. The Sun (2011)At first he wanted to get a taxi home, but was persuaded to go to hospital instead. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Love is rewarding now you focus on all that's good about a relationship instead of looking for flaws. The Sun (2013)Instead of thinking about what we do not want, we need to focus on what we do want. Pete Cohen and Sten Cummins with Jennai Cox HABIT BUSTING: A 10-step plan that will change your life (2002)

Trends of 'instead'

Extremely Common. instead is one of the 1000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'instead'

British English: instead /ɪnˈstɛd/ ADVERB

If you do not do something, but do something else instead, you do the second thing and not the first thing.

He didn't go out with his friends. He went to the movies instead.

American English: instead
Arabic: بَدَلَاً مِنْ
Brazilian Portuguese: em vez
Chinese: 代替
Croatian: umjesto toga
Czech: místo něčeho jiného
Danish: i stedet
Dutch: in plaats daarvan
European Spanish: en cambio
Finnish: sen sijaan
French: plutôt au lieu
German: anstatt
Greek: αντ’ αυτού
Italian: invece
Japanese: その代わりに
Korean: 그 대신에
Norwegian: i stedet
Polish: zamiast tego
European Portuguese: em vez
Romanian: în schimb
Russian: взамен
Spanish: en cambio
Swedish: i stället
Thai: แทน
Turkish: yerine
Ukrainian: натомість
Vietnamese: thay vì

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Nearby words of 'instead'

Related Terms of 'instead'

Source

Definition of instead from the Collins English Dictionary

WH- words

The WH- words are also called interrogatives. They are used for WH- questions. They can be determiners, adverbs, or pronouns. WH- determiners When used as determiners, what , which, or whose can b...