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

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Etymology

Origin of alternative

First recorded in 1580–90; alternate + -ive

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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 alternative plan is still being amended substantially.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

China is leading in sodium-ion battery technology, a lower-cost alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

The rest of the world is straining to find alternative supply sources.

From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026

“With Netflix under pressure to find alternative lines of revenue beyond subscriptions, it’s concerning that the company lowered its estimate for its ad business,” said Ross Benes, senior analyst at research firm Emarketer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026

It was better than the alternative, and it would be worth it if we could save lives.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Earlier this month, activist investor Ariel Investments called for Mattel to explore strategic alternatives.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

The team also examined what might happen when ultra-processed foods were replaced with less processed alternatives.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026

He added there was "other studio space around the country" which could accommodate the programme, while alternatives in the West Midlands would also be considered.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

For Nvidia investors, Maia raises a broader question: How much pricing power can a supplier retain when its biggest customers develop credible alternatives?

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

When you’re talking about a choice between alternatives, use whether-.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

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Related Words

• opportunity
• option
• substitute

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