Substitute vs Makeshift - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between substitute and makeshift

is that substitute is a replacement or stand-in for something that achieves a similar result or purpose while makeshift is a temporary, usually insubstantial, substitution for something else.

As a verb substitute

is to use in place of something else, with the same function.

As an adjective makeshift is

made to work or suffice; improvised; substituted.

substitute

English

Verb

(substitut)

To use in place of something else, with the same function.

I had no shallots so I substituted onion.

In the phrase "substitute X for Y", to use X in place of Y. With increasing frequency used in the semantically opposite sense (see the OED's notes).

I had to substitute new parts for the old ones.

In the phrase "substitute X with/by Y", to use Y in place of X; to replace X with Y

I had to substitute old parts with the new ones. (This usage was formerly proscribed.)

(sports) To remove (a player) from the field of play and bring on another in his place.

He was playing poorly and was substituted after twenty minutes

* {{quote-news

, year=2011 , date=April 11 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Liverpool 3 - 0 Man City , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Mario Balotelli replaced Tevez but his contribution was so negligible that he suffered the indignity of being substituted himself as time ran out, a development that encapsulated a wretched 90 minutes for City and boss Roberto Mancini. }}

To serve as a replacement (for someone or something)

* 1987 , , Essays in Economics, Vol. 2 , p. 75

Accumulation of wealth by this route may substitute for personal saving.

Usage notes

The verb "to substitute" can be used transitively in two opposite ways. "To substitute X" may mean either "use X in place of something else" (as in definitions 1 and 2), or "use something else in place of X" (as in definitions 3 and 4). The latter use is more recent, but it is widespread and now generally accepted (see the COED's note on the matter). However, if the indirect object (the "something else") is omitted, the preposition is also omitted, and the reader or hearer cannot tell which sense is meant: * "Substitute butter for olive oil" = Use butter instead of olive oil * "Substitute olive oil for butter" = Use olive oil instead of butter * "Substitute butter" = ??? * "Substitute olive oil" = ???

Noun

(en noun)

A replacement or stand-in for something that achieves a similar result or purpose.

* De Quincey

Ladies [in Shakespeare's age] wore masks as the sole substitute known to our ancestors for the modern parasol.

(sports) A player who is available to replace another if the need arises, and who may or may not actually do so.

* {{quote-news

, year=2011 , date=November 3 , author=David Ornstein , title=Macc Tel-Aviv 1 - 2 Stoke , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Dean Whitehead opened the scoring shortly after the break with a low finish and substitute Peter Crouch sealed the win with a tap-in.}}

(historical) One who enlists for military service in the place of a conscript.

Synonyms

* See also

makeshift

English

Noun

(en noun)

A temporary, usually insubstantial, substitution for something else.

I am not a model clergyman, only a decent makeshift .

Adjective

(en adjective)

Made to work or suffice; improvised; substituted.

They used the ledge and a few branches for a makeshift shelter.

* {{quote-news

, year=2012 , date=May 26 2012 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Norway 0-1 England , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Hodgson was able to introduce Arsenal teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for his debut late on as this makeshift England line-up closed out a victory that was solid for the most part without ever threatening to be spectacular.}}