Definition of instead of

The origin of the word "instead of" can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled "anstēð ǣre" and pronounced in a similar way. Essentially, it consists of two parts: "anstēð" meaning "place" or "position," and "āre" meaning "other" or "else." When the Norse and Germanic tribes were invading England in the 5th century, they brought with them their own languages that heavily influenced the development of Old English. "Instead of" is a perfect example of a borrowed word that found its way into the English lexicon during this time. The Latin phrase "in loco aliorum" (i.e. "in the place of others") served as another primary source for the formation of "instead of," as Old English frequently borrowed from Latin. By the Middle English period, "insteode" began to replace the once-common "anstēð ære" in written works. "Instead of" has long served as a useful conjunction that indicates a substitution between two objects or ideas. It helps to clarify that one thing will be used or done in place of another, and continues to be a common and widely used word to this day.