alternative history

American  

[awl-tur-nuh-tiv his-tuh-ree, his-tree, al-tur-] / ɔlˈtɜr nə tɪv ˈhɪs tə ri, ˈhɪs tri, ælˈtɜr- /

noun

1. history that is based on an unconventional or nontraditional interpretation of an event or events.

   Charting a hitherto untold story with historical and contemporary implications, these essays present a compelling alternative history of theatrical practice in the UK.

2. alternate history.

   She writes alternative history that is detailed and hard to resist.

   The book is a supernatural alternative history.

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alternative history British  

noun

1. a genre of fiction in which the author speculates on how the course of history might have been altered if a particular historical event had had a different outcome

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Etymology

Origin of alternative history

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The Minions restage the most famous stunts of Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton and provide an alternative history of how the famous Hollywoodland sign in the hills got shortened to Hollywood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026

A year later, SS-GB envisaged what might have happened if Germany had won the Battle of Britain - beating Robert Harris to the concept of an alternative history novel by 20 years.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Fans have flocked to Netflix events centered around its most popular titles, including “Bridgerton,” with some fans dressing up for balls that resemble the ones depicted in the Regency-era alternative history romance series.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2024

We love plunging into hypothetical topics and alternative history, but this discussion has little meat on which we can chew.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 27, 2024

If that kind of time travel were possible, then every imaginable alternative history might in some sense really exist.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan