Ersatz

Pronunciation: /ˈɛrzæts/

Definitions of ersatz

adjective an adjective that means not real or genuine; artificial or inferior in quality

Example Sentences

A1 The ersatz coffee tasted nothing like real coffee.

A2 She bought an ersatz designer handbag that looked almost like the real thing.

B1 The ersatz leather jacket was much cheaper than the real one.

B2 The restaurant served ersatz versions of popular dishes that were surprisingly delicious.

C1 The artist created an ersatz masterpiece that fooled even the experts.

C2 The ersatz diamond ring was so convincing that no one could tell it was fake.

Examples of ersatz in a Sentence

formal The company used ersatz leather for their new line of handbags.

informal I bought an ersatz designer watch from a street vendor.

slang That ersatz beer tasted like watered-down soda.

figurative Her smile was ersatz, hiding her true feelings of sadness.

Grammatical Forms of ersatz

• past tense: ersatz
• plural: ersatzes
• comparative: more ersatz
• superlative: most ersatz
• present tense: is ersatz
• future tense: will be ersatz
• perfect tense: has been ersatz
• continuous tense: is being ersatz
• singular: ersatz
• positive degree: ersatz
• infinitive: to ersatz
• gerund: ersatzing
• participle: ersatzed

Origin and Evolution of ersatz

First Known Use: 1875 year

Language of Origin: German

Story behind the word: The word 'ersatz' originated in German, derived from the verb 'ersetzen' meaning 'to replace or substitute'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe artificial or inferior substitutes, 'ersatz' has evolved to also connote something that is fake or counterfeit.