alternative
Americannoun
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alternatives
plural
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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.
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one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen.
The alternative to riding is walking.
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a possible or remaining course or choice.
There was no alternative but to walk.
adjective
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affording a choice of two or more things, propositions, or courses of action.
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(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.
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employing or following nontraditional or unconventional ideas, methods, etc.; existing outside the establishment.
an alternative newspaper; alternative lifestyles.
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Logic. (of a proposition) asserting two or more choices, at least one of which is true.
noun
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a possibility of choice, esp between two things, courses of action, etc
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either of such choices
we took the alternative of walking
adjective
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presenting a choice, esp between two possibilities only
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(of two things) mutually exclusive
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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
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logic another word for disjunctive
Synonym Usage
See choice.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of alternative
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.
Vocabulary lists containing alternative
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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The Catcher in the Rye
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It is the latest sign that efforts to connect traditional banking and the alternative financial system that powers cryptocurrencies are pushing ahead despite a recent setback for the crypto industry in Washington.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
Infantino will stand for election for a fourth time in March 2027, with his opponents having until 18 November to find an alternative candidate.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
Then again, a well-designed AI could suggest alternative interpretations, make uncertainty visible, and help us cultivate rather than surrender that capacity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
The fibrous leftover from beer production also serves as a "local alternative," Munk said.
From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026
“Mr. Justice,” Griswold replied, “I don’t know what the alternative is.”
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
"Where no local option is available, alternatives are discussed with the person and their family."
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
His Copenhagen restaurant Alchemist is experimenting with chocolate alternatives because "the chocolate market is also under pressure," he said.
From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026
The higher prices are pushing some to search for alternatives.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
Furthermore, the chain will expand its beverage selection, introducing fresher coffee beans, new espresso machines and dairy alternatives.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
There would be just one right thing, without alternatives: he must do that.
From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
