instead
in-STED/ɪnˈstɛd/
- 1Used to show that one thing happens or is chosen in place of another.
The store was closed, so we went home instead.
She didn't want coffee, so she ordered tea instead.
UsageIt often goes at the end: we went home instead. Before a thing, say instead of: tea instead of coffee.
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Origin
From "in" plus "stead," an old word meaning "place." It comes from Middle English and is related to German "statt."
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- 'Instead' is formed from 'in' plus 'stead'. en.wiktionary.org
- 'Stead' is an old word meaning 'place'. en.wiktionary.org
- 'Instead' comes from Middle English. en.wiktionary.org
- 'Instead' is related to German 'statt'. en.wiktionary.org