alternatively

American  

[awl-tur-nuh-tiv-lee, al-] / ɔlˈtɜr nə tɪv li, æl- /

adverb

1. as another choice or option.

   At the end of the unit, each group of students writes a book review or, alternatively, acts out a short scene from the book.

2. in a nonstandard, novel, or unconventional manner or style.

   We found significant differences between the traditionally and alternatively certified teachers with regard to classroom experience.

   You are not automatically more creative just because you're in an alternatively decorated meeting room.

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Other Word Forms

• quasi-alternatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of alternatively

alternative + -ly

Example Sentences

One almost gets a sense that the great doers of history were like robots, temporarily inhabited by an otherworldly spiritual force or, alternatively, were stick figures that Hegel moved about on his grandiose world-historical tableau.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

Depending on the president’s decisions, a restructuring could wipe out existing shareholders or alternatively see them realize a return of hundreds of billions of dollars on their investments.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Or would she alternatively feel the moral weight of not having rescued him from his hate?

From Slate • Dec. 5, 2025

Ms Peggie's claims also include the allegation that she suffered "direct discrimination" because of her "sex realist beliefs" and that she faced "harassment or alternatively victimisation" relating to the internal disciplinary process carried out.

From BBC • Dec. 1, 2025

The columns on the tablet are made up of cuneiform script detailing various instruments, including the kinnor, the hand-held harp-like instrument that is alternatively known as a lyre.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• sooner
• willingly