alt-

¹

1. variant of alti- before a vowel.

   altazimuth.

alt-

²

1. a combining form of alternative, used in compound words describing a nontraditional or unconventional version within a genre or category, often something provocative, subversive, or innovative: the alt-right movement; writers of alt-lit;

   alt-country bands;

   the alt-right movement;

   alt-weeklies;

   writers of alt-lit;

   quinoa and other alt-grains.

alt

³

[alt]

adjective

1. high.

noun

1. in alt, in the first octave above the treble staff.

alt.

⁴

abbreviation

1. alteration.

2. alternate.

3. altitude.

4. alto.

alt

/ ælt /

adjective

1. (esp of vocal music) high in pitch

2. of or relating to the octave commencing with the G above the top line of the treble staff

noun

1. in the octave directly above the treble staff

Word History and Origins

Origin of alt¹

First recorded in 1985–90; from the use of the prefix alt- in Usenet, to denote newsgroups with unconventional discussion topics

Origin of alt²

1525–35; < Provençal < Latin altum, noun use of neuter of altus high

Word History and Origins

Origin of alt¹

C16: from Provençal, from Latin altus high, deep

Example Sentences

A couple hours from now, the band will play a splashy pool party gig for 98.7 ALT FM.

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With Joe Alt out for Sunday, can Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers find ways to get around the injuries that have compromised the offensive line?

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Herbert is playing behind a patchwork offensive line, as the team lost left tackle Rashawn Slater in training camp — 10 days after making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in history — then lost replacement Joe Alt to a high-ankle sprain in the first quarter of a Week 4 loss at the Giants.

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The outstanding Joe Alt, who stepped in at left tackle after Rashawn Slater’s season-ending knee injury, is nursing a high ankle sprain and will not play against Washington.

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Heading into training camp this summer, the offensive line was a strength of the team, with Slater at left tackle and Alt on the right.

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