ersatz

[ er-zahts, -sahts, er-zahts, -sahts ]

adjective

1. serving as a substitute; synthetic; artificial:

   an ersatz coffee made from grain.

noun

1. an artificial substance or article used to replace something natural or genuine; a substitute.

ersatz

/ ˈɜː-; ˈɛəzæts /

adjective

1. made in imitation of some natural or genuine product; artificial

noun

1. an ersatz substance or article

Word History and Origins

Origin of ersatz¹

1870–75; < German Ersatz a substitute (derivative of ersetzen to replace)

Word History and Origins

Origin of ersatz¹

C20: German, from ersetzen to substitute

Example Sentences

Nor is it an ersatz Irish pub with lots of dark wood, touches of green and a Guinness mirror.

From Los Angeles Times

He flies around on a plane he calls "Trump Force One" and uses an ersatz presidential seal at any podium he stands behind.

From Salon

“Because it’s set on this vintage Hollywood soundstage, the director, Martin Gas, he contextualizes the ersatz vision of Japan because he puts a frame around it,” LA Opera CEO Christopher Koelsch said.

From Seattle Times

Others worried that covering the familiar limestone walls of the pyramid with new cladding would have the effect of turning the historic Giza plateau into an ersatz Disneyland.

From New York Times

The notion of swapping out a great prosciutto with an ersatz version is just never going to happen for me.

From Salon