used to say that one thing is chosen or happens in place of another thing
I didn’t buy the blue shirt; I chose the red one instead.
Because the bus was late, she walked to school instead.
✦ from Middle English ‘in stede’ meaning ‘in place (of)’
used to show that one thing is chosen, done, or happens in place of another thing
I planned to walk to school, but I took the bus instead.
If you do not like tea, you can drink coffee instead.
✦ From Middle English 'in stede' meaning 'in place (of)', where 'stede' meant 'place'.
