alternative

American  

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

noun

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

Related Words

See choice.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of alternative

First recorded in 1580–90; alternate + -ive

Example Sentences

While Freud, Mr. Phillips tells us, describes human beings “as driving the horse in the direction the horse wants to go,” Rorty “wants us to wonder what are better alternative descriptions.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Consumers have cut back spending—thanks to higher prices, and a shift toward healthier habits and alternative ways to relax and socialize.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

“An alternative scenario is that the deadline is extended, and the markets face another uneasy period of trying to gauge the latest mood music in the US and Iran,” he added.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Air New Zealand, which had already cut some flights last month, said the "vast majority" of customers by the cancellations were being alternative offered flights on the same day.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

The Anvil, a local alternative paper, dispatched reporters into the streets to gauge public reaction the morning following the disturbance.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• opportunity
• option
• substitute