When you have a favorite teddy bear and it needs a wash, you might hug another stuffed animal instead. This other toy is a substitute for your teddy bear. It’s like a stand-in, keeping you company until your teddy is back.
Think of a soccer game where one player gets tired. The coach can send in a new player to take their place. This new player is a substitute. They help the team keep playing without stopping the game.
Imagine you’re baking cookies and run out of sugar. You might use honey instead. Honey becomes the substitute for sugar, helping you finish your cookies even without sugar.
In a classroom, if your regular teacher is sick, another teacher might come in to teach you for the day. This teacher is a substitute teacher. They help make sure you keep learning, even when your usual teacher isn’t there.
So, a substitute is something or someone that steps in to help or take the place of something else when needed.