alternative

[ awl-tur-nuh-tiv, al- ]

noun

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.

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

/ 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

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

Derived Forms

• alˈternatively, adverb
• alˈternativeness, noun

Other Words From

• al·ter·na·tive·ly adverb
• al·ter·na·tive·ness al·ter·na·tiv·i·ty [awl-tur-n, uh, -, tiv, -i-tee, al-], noun
• qua·si-al·ter·na·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alternative¹

First recorded in 1580–90; alternate + -ive

Synonym Study

See choice.

Example Sentences

This is, in the end, more efficient than the alternative.

From Slate

In a statement, McDonald's said it had now found an alternative supplier and has started selling Quarter Pounders with onions again at the affected restaurants.

From BBC

The European Commission said this meant alternative classified ads services had faced "unfair trading conditions", making it harder for them to compete.

From BBC

T-levels are designed to cater for students who want an alternative to A-levels but do not wish to take an apprenticeship, which typically requires as much as 80% of a student's time to be spent with an employer.

From BBC

T-levels were launched by the former Conservative government, which planned to make them the main route into vocational education by defunding alternative courses, like BTecs, with overlapping subject areas.

From BBC

Related Words

• opportunity
• option
• substitute