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

The fibrous leftover from beer production also serves as a "local alternative," Munk said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026

Despite three confederations calling for him to step down, Infantino has said he will stand for re-election in March, with his opponents having until 18 November to find an alternative candidate.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

One is that some municipal bonds may trigger the alternative minimum tax at the federal level.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026

They found that mammalian cells possess an alternative chemical route.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 25, 2026

But when US forces arrived on the edge of Prophet’s Town on November 6, 1811, Tenskwatawa saw no alternative but to attack, despite his brother’s instructions.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

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 two assets remain classic alternatives for investors looking for exposure outside of stocks and bonds, although investors hoping that gold might offset losses in their stock portfolios might be disappointed.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 24, 2026

Starboard also wants the company to evaluate strategic alternatives including a potential sale, as it believes its business has a high barrier to entry and could be attractive to potential suitors, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

A company spokesperson said Lineage was inquiring about potentially “safer” alternatives to the equipment’s rapid shutdown devices, which are designed to protect firefighters from shock but also have been linked to increased fire risk.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026

But it was still better than wrestling with the alternatives.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

Related Words

• opportunity
• option
• substitute