How to pronounce substitute
Say it like SUHB-stuh-toot. Substitute has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHB).
- SUHB
- stuh
- toot
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Substitute pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SUHBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- stuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tootGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of substitute
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: SUHB-stih-tyoot.
What does substitute mean?
- put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items“the con artist replaced the original with a fake Rembrandt”“substitute regular milk for fat-free milk”
- be a substitute“The young teacher had to substitute for the sick colleague”“The skim milk substitutes for cream--we are on a strict diet”
- act as a substitute“She stood in for the soprano who suffered from a cold”
- a person or thing that takes or can take the place of another
- an athlete who plays only when a starter on the team is replaced
- someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult)“the star had a stand-in for dangerous scenes”“we need extra employees for summer fill-ins”
- capable of substituting in any of several positions on a team“a utility infielder”
- serving or used in place of another“an alternative plan”
- artificial and inferior“ersatz coffee”“substitute coffee”
Where does substitute come from?
From Middle English substituten, from Latin substitutus, past participle of substituō, from sub- (“under; beneath”) + statuō (“to put up; establish”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying substitute
How do you pronounce substitute?
Say SUHB-stuh-toot. The American pronunciation is /ˈsʌbstəˌtut/. In British English it is /ˈsʌbstɪˌtjuːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in substitute?
Substitute has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHB). Broken into parts: SUHB · stuh · toot.
Is substitute pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /ˈsʌbstɪˌtjuːt/ (SUHB-stih-tyoot).