instead

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   in place of, or as an alternative to

   Felix became a herpetologist instead

2. 2
   adv

   In the place of something (usually mentioned earlier); as a substitute or alternative.

   I was going to go shopping, but I went dancing instead.

3. 3
   adv

   on the contrary

Etymology

From in + stead, from Middle English ine (“in”) + stede (“stead”). Related to German statt.