replace
B1 (CEFR)Neutral - appropriate in formal, informal, academic, and technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To take the position of something/someone else, or to put something new in the place of something old, damaged, or lost.
To change a person or thing for another, often to improve the situation; to restore something to its proper place; to succeed or supplant.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Replace" focuses on substitution and succession. It implies a direct exchange where the original item/person is no longer present or functional. It can carry a neutral, positive (upgrade), or negative (ousting) connotation depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Minor spelling differences in derived forms (e.g., 'replaceable' vs. 'replaceable' is identical).
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SUBJ] replace [OBJ][SUBJ] replace [OBJ1] with [OBJ2][SUBJ] replace [OBJ1] by [OBJ2]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hard acts to follow (idiomatic concept related to being difficult to replace)”
- “Irreplaceable (adjective - cannot be replaced)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common in HR (replace an employee), operations (replace equipment), and strategy (replace outdated processes).
Academic
Used in scientific writing (replace a variable, replace a theory) and historical analysis (one dynasty replaced another).
Everyday
Used for objects (replace a lightbulb), appointments (replace a dentist), and in shops (can I replace this item?).
Technical
Central in computing (find and replace), engineering (replace a component), and medicine (replace a joint).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We need to replace the broken tap in the kitchen.
- The manager was replaced after the team's poor performance.
American English
- You should replace the battery in your smoke detector.
- The old law was replaced by new legislation.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as a standalone adverb. Typically 'replaced' as part of a verb phrase.)
- The component was irreplaceably damaged in the fire.
American English
- (Rarely used as a standalone adverb. Typically 'replaced' as part of a verb phrase.)
- The data was replaceably stored on a backup server.
adjective
British English
- The part is not easily replaceable; we'll have to order it.
- She made herself almost irreplaceable to the company.
American English
- These are replaceable filters for the air purifier.
- The loss of the original manuscript is irreplaceable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Can you replace the milk? The bottle is empty.
- I need to replace the battery in my torch.
- They replaced all the windows in the house to save energy.
- No one can replace a good friend.
- The software update will gradually replace the old user interface.
- He was replaced as captain due to his inconsistent form.
- The theory of continental drift was superseded by the more comprehensive theory of plate tectonics.
- The incumbent government was decisively replaced in the election.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of RE-PLACE: to put something new back INTO THE PLACE where the old thing was.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS SUBSTITUTION; IMPROVEMENT IS REPLACING THE OLD WITH THE NEW.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'поменять' (to exchange/swap). 'Replace' is one-directional substitution. 'Заменить' is a closer equivalent.
- Avoid using 'replace' for simply changing clothes; use 'change into'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I replaced my jacket with a newer one.' (If you still have the old one, it's not replaced, it's supplemented).
- Incorrect preposition: 'I will replace it to a new one.' Correct: 'I will replace it with a new one.'
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'replace' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Replace' is more common and implies the original is gone or no longer used. 'Substitute' often implies a temporary or inferior stand-in. You replace a broken lamp. You substitute olive oil for butter in a recipe.
The most common are 'replace WITH' (introducing the new item) and 'replace BY' (often used in passive voice, especially in formal/technical contexts). 'Replace for' is incorrect.
Yes, but it can sound impersonal or negative. In sensitive contexts (e.g., a colleague leaving), phrases like 'take over from', 'succeed', or 'fill the position of' are often preferred.
It means something is so unique or valuable that it cannot be replaced if lost. It is often used for people, experiences, or one-of-a-kind objects.