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

“It puts into question the validity of the U.S. bond market,” he said, adding that it could push investors into alternative investments such as dividend stocks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 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

“This is Me” also depicts her mother, former soap actress Lesley Vogel, as demanding her daughter’s absolute best at every step in her career and leaving her with no alternative path.

From Salon ● Aug. 19, 2026

A ride on a people mover feels even more degrading in comparison to the alternative mode serving other travelers.

From Slate ● Aug. 18, 2026

There is a puzzle here, because the standard alternative to voluntarism is rationalism, and a rationalist would hold that the laws of nature, like the laws of mathematics, exist because they are necessary.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

"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

Pro tip: If something looks expensive, ask what alternatives were considered.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026

The share of actively managed U.S. large-cap equity funds that beat their benchmark passive-fund alternatives in the 12 months ended June 30, according to Morningstar data that compares returns after fees.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

The difficulty and expense of the various alternatives increases “the attractiveness of a resource that’s already operating and producing clean energy around the clock,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

But I can’t think of any other alternatives.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day

Related Words

• opportunity
• option
• substitute