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instead of - 2 dictionary results

in⋅stead

   [in-sted]
–adverb
1. as a substitute or replacement; in the place or stead of someone or something: We ordered tea but were served coffee instead.
2. in preference; as a preferred or accepted alternative: The city has its pleasures, but she wished instead for the quiet of country life.
—Idiom
3. instead of, in place of; in lieu of: You can use milk instead of cream in this recipe.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME; orig. phrase in stead in place
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : instead of
Spanish: en vez de, German: statt, Japanese: ～の代わりに
View 29 other languages »
instead of  
prep.   In place of; rather than: ordered chicken instead of fish.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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