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

Etymology

Origin of alternative

First recorded in 1580–90; alternate + -ive

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

Even as propaganda, it was pretty dumb — never discounting for currency fluctuation, alternative sourcing or domestic capacity increases, to name a few counterindicators.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 22, 2026

South Korea's Vice Oceans Minister Nam Jae-hon said the Arctic route was "bound to become an alternative" to Middle Eastern shipping lanes -- as geopolitical risks and technological advances make it increasingly competitive.

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

Some have sent a detailed proposal to the department setting out a "tapered" alternative scheme.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

Pipeline developers are already piecing together an alternative to the scuttled Keystone expansion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

In the absence of a coherent alternative with equivalently compelling appeal, his story was destined to dominate the history books.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Such incidents have left many Americans mistrustful of weather apps as a whole, and desperate for viable alternatives.

From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026

These alternatives have the additional benefits of reducing carbon emissions, vibrations and the exposure of landscapers to pollution.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

So far, most of the world has responded to the unfolding crisis with a combination of demand curbs and pricier but workable alternatives to Middle East oil.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

"Abruptly stopping Tavneos without switching to an alternative should be avoided to prevent the condition worsening," the agency warned, advising patients to consult a doctor about alternatives.

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

My mind whirs this way and that, weighing the alternatives, then grinds to a halt under the strain.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García

Related Words

• opportunity
• option
• substitute