DictionaryAI

replace

verb
ri-PLAYS/ɹɪˈpleɪs/

Formsreplaces, replacing, replaced

6 meanings of replace

Practice

  1. 1
    swap for newverbtransitive
    To put something new or equivalent in the place of something that is gone, worn out, or unwanted.

    The mechanic will replace the worn brake pads tomorrow.

    They replaced the cracked window with reinforced glass.

    Usagereplace the old thing with the new one; compare substitute the new one for the old.

  2. 2
    be used insteadverbtransitive
    To take the place of something else, being used instead of what came before.

    Streaming services have largely replaced video rental stores.

    Many fear that machines will replace human workers in factories.

    UsageIn an active sentence, the new thing is the subject, without with: computers replaced typewriters.

    Similarsupersede, supplant, displace

    Note

    The new thing is the subject here, and no with follows: computers replaced typewriters. Compare putting a new one in, which takes with. William Whewell's The Elements of Morality (1845) pairs it with supersede ("does not replace or supersede"), a close neighbor that leans harder on the old thing being set aside.

  3. 3
    take over jobverbtransitive
    To take over the position or role previously held by another person.

    The vice president stepped in to replace the departing CEO.

    He quietly replaced his predecessor with little fanfare.

    UsageOften replace someone as coach or manager; in the passive, he was replaced by a younger coach.

    Similarsucceed, supplant

  4. 4
    put backverbtransitive
    To put something back in its former place, position, or condition.

    Always replace the tools in their slots after using them.

    She replaced the vase on the mantel exactly where it had stood.

    UsageUsually with a place phrase: replace the book on the shelf, the tools in their slots.

    Similarreturn

    Note

    Francis Bacon uses it of people as well as objects in his History of the Reign of King Henry VII (1622), where an earl is "replaced in his government," restored to office.

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    pay backverbtransitive
    To pay back or restore an amount of money that has been borrowed, spent, or lost.

    After the fraud came to light, the bank agreed to replace every dollar taken from its customers' accounts.

    She replaced the money she had borrowed from her sister.

    Similarrepay, refund, reimburse

  2. 6
    verbraretransitive
    To set an object down in a new or different position from where it stood before.

    Similarreposition, relocate, move

    Note

    A rare reading that runs against the word's own parts. Re- plus place suggests a return, yet here the object goes somewhere new, like a statue moved to a sunnier gallery. Because it collides with the "put back" meaning and with the far commoner idea of substitution, a reader can easily misread it. When the new position matters, move or reposition says it without the risk.

    Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of replace apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

Formed from the prefix re- combined with the word place.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 1 fact