in·stead
Pronounced:
/ɪnˈstɛd/
Function:
adverbMeaning:
—used to say that one thing is done or that one thing or person is chosen when another is not chosen, cannot be done, etc. ▪ I was going to write you an e-mail, but I decided to call instead. ▪ I couldn't afford a new car. Instead, I bought a used one. ▪ I don't have any milk—do you mind juice instead? ▪ John couldn't attend the conference so Mary went instead. [=in his place] ▪ They didn't choose me: they chose her instead. ▪ She didn't want to live in the city and longed instead for the peace and quiet of the country. —often + of ▪ I decided to call instead of writing. [=to call and not write] ▪ Instead of buying a new car, I bought a used one. ▪ They chose her instead of [=rather than; and not] me. ▪ He had juice instead of milk.