in place of, or as an alternative to
"Felix became a herpetologist instead"
"alternatively we could buy a used car"
In the place of something (usually mentioned earlier); as a substitute or alternative.
"Instead of drinking coffee, she chose herbal tea to stay awake."
In plain English: Instead means doing something different rather than what was expected or planned before.
"I decided to walk instead of driving because I wanted some fresh air."
The word instead comes from the Old French phrase en estade, meaning "in place," which entered Middle English as a combination of in and stede. It eventually evolved into its current form, retaining the original sense of occupying one position in substitution for another.