alternative

American  

[awl-tur-nuh-tiv, al-] / ɔlˈtɜr nə tɪv, æl- /

noun

• alternatives
  plural

1. 

   a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes any other possibility.

   You have the alternative of riding or walking.

   Synonyms:

   selection, option

2. one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen.

   The alternative to riding is walking.

3. a possible or remaining course or choice.

   There was no alternative but to walk.

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adjective

1. affording a choice of two or more things, propositions, or courses of action.

2. (of two things, propositions, or courses) mutually exclusive so that if one is chosen the other must be rejected.

   The alternative possibilities are neutrality and war.

3. employing or following nontraditional or unconventional ideas, methods, etc.; existing outside the establishment.

   an alternative newspaper; alternative lifestyles.

4. Logic. (of a proposition) asserting two or more choices, at least one of which is true.

alternative British  

/ ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv /

noun

1. a possibility of choice, esp between two things, courses of action, etc

2. either of such choices

   we took the alternative of walking

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adjective

1. presenting a choice, esp between two possibilities only

2. (of two things) mutually exclusive

3. denoting a lifestyle, culture, art form, etc, regarded by its adherents as preferable to that of contemporary society because it is less conventional, materialistic, or institutionalized, and, often, more in harmony with nature

4. logic another word for disjunctive

Synonym Usage

See choice.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• alternativeness
  noun
• alternativity
  noun
• quasi-alternative
  adjective
• alternatively
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• alternatives
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of alternative

First recorded in 1580–90; alternate + -ive

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Explanation

When you're facing a fork in the road, you have two possibilities, or alternatives. You could take the left fork and see where it leads, or you could choose the path that goes to the right. Whenever there is an alternative, it involves a choice. A wealthy student has the choice of going to a public school, or the alternative, a private school. Alternative can also refer to a different way of doing things, outside the norm. You might say that a hermit who lives in remote a cave with a pet turtle is living an alternative lifestyle.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

alternative alternatives

Others turned back or diverted to alternative locations because overwhelmed airports didn’t have space for them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 15, 2026

A police scene and road closure remain in place in Gelderd Road, and drivers are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.

From BBC ● Nov. 15, 2026

He was due to fly Alaska Airlines to Spokane, Wash., for a book-tour event, saw that his flight was canceled and booked an alternative.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 14, 2026

But we then faced the harder question of whether to delay publication while searching for an alternative printer or coming up with some less objectionable way around the censor’s demands.

From Slate ● Nov. 14, 2026

I suggested two alternative dates, both in the coming month and just a few days apart from each other.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

Although both alternatives can speed up the early stages of extraction, neither offered a sufficiently compelling overall improvement.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 14, 2026

But among researchers and farmers, a battle is on to crown its successor, with truckloads of newfangled alternatives hitting shelves.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 14, 2026

Stranded passengers were scrambling to find alternatives, with long lines forming at rental car counters at the airport in Las Vegas.

From Barron's ● Nov. 13, 2026

Well-known names or premium own-label products are often positioned at eye level, while budget alternatives are tucked away on the bottom shelves.

From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2026

She didn’t really know any alternatives to being Christian.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

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Related Words

• opportunity
• option
• substitute

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