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German

Ersatz

ER-zats

ˈɛrzæts

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Syllable breakdown

Ersatz

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Dictionary meaning

Made or used as a substitute; artificial and inferior.

History and origin

German — 'Ersatz' (replacement, substitute).

Examples

  • The coffee substitute offered in wartime was widely derided as ersatz — nothing like the real thing.

Common mispronunciations

ER-sahtzer-SATZ

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