I. ˈerˌz]äts sometimes -ˌs] or ]ats or ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\ adjective
Etymology: German ersatz-, from ersatz, n.
1. : substitute , synthetic
ersatz flour … developed from sawdust and vegetable waste — Jackson Martindell
construction will be largely with ersatz materials, iron, steel, and copper being needed for armaments — Newsweek
turn … any form of art into an ersatz religion — W.K.Wimsatt
: simulated
the model … nestles on ersatz waves — Newcastle (Australia) Morning Herald
: counterfeit
since few dared talk about the real issue, there had to be an ersatz issue — New Republic
2. : of, relating to, or marked by the use of substitute products
Germany's wartime ersatz economy
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: German, substitute, compensation, from Middle High German (Swiss dialect) ersaz commensurate punishment, from ersetzen to replace, from Old High German irsezzen, from ir- (perfective prefix) + sezzen to set — more at abear , set
1. : an artificial replacement for a natural product
rayon is an outstanding example of the ersatz become … a synthetic textile fiber in its own right — Economist
: a substitute differing in kind from and often inferior in quality to what it replaces
2. : something similar in only a superficial or partial way to what it is represented to be : something not genuine
a piece of poetic ersatz offering sentimentalism for genuine feeling
3. : the discovery and use of substitute products : substitution
international trade … of little importance in a nation skilled in the art of ersatz — K.E.Poole