Learn a Word Daily — Ersatz
Today’s word is "Ersatz": A substitute; not genuine.
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Word of the Day · January 5, 2026
Ersatz
ER-zats · adjective
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Definition
A substitute; not genuine.
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Origin & Etymology
From German Ersatz, meaning “replacement” or “substitute.”
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Nuance
Ersatz usually carries a negative vibe: a cheap stand-in, not the real thing.
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Usage
“They served an ersatz vanilla flavor that tasted nothing like the real thing.”
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Fun Fact
During wartime shortages, “ersatz” versions of coffee and rubber became common—hence the word’s “second-rate substitute” feel.
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