alternative

noun

1

a

: a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosen

a government facing the alternative of high taxes or poor highways

b

: an opportunity for deciding between two or more courses or propositions

the alternative of going by train or by plane

2

a

: one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosen

The menu offered several vegetarian alternatives.

b

: something which can be chosen instead

The only alternative to intervention.

3

: alternative rock music

a fan of alternative

Synonyms of alternative

• option
• choice

Choose the Right Synonym for alternative

choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen.

choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Examples of alternative in a Sentence

We decided to leave since our only other alternative was to wait in the rain.

I was offered no alternative.

The menu offered several vegetarian alternatives.

Recent Examples on the Web

But that could change soon as the Bank of Japan has been hiking rates while hotter inflation has lifted Japanese government bond yields, which are now looking more attractive and emerging as an alternative to Treasury bonds. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 June 2026

There is substitution bias (consumers switch to cheaper alternatives), outlet bias (shoppers move to discount retailers), new goods bias (new products are late to enter the index), and quality change bias (improvements in products are improperly treated as price increases). —James Broughel, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

Another close alternative to the shoe Field wears is the Allbirds Lounger Lift Slip-on Platform Sneakers. —Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026

For playrooms, use soft, stain-resistant alternatives like foam tiles, which are durable and water-resistant. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Medieval Latin; French alternative, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin alternātīva, noun derivative from feminine of alternātīvus "occurring by turns" — more at alternative entry 1

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing alternative

• adult alternative
• alternative country
• alternative energy
• alternative fuel
• alternative medicine
• alternative minimum tax
• alternative music
• alternative pop
• alternative power
• alternative rock
• alternative school

Kids Definition

alternative

1 of 2 adjective

al·​ter·​na·​tive ȯl-ˈtər-nət-iv 

also al-

1

: offering or expressing a choice

alternative plans

2

: being one of the things between which a choice is to be made : alternate

an alternative route

alternatively adverb

alternativeness noun

alternative

2 of 2 noun

1

: a chance to choose between two or more things only one of which may be chosen

the alternative of going by bus or car

2

: one of the things between which a choice is to be made

Medical Definition

alternative

adjective

al·​ter·​na·​tive ȯl-ˈtər-nət-iv, al- 

: of, relating to, or based on alternative medicine

alternative therapies

Legal Definition

alternative

1 of 2 adjective

al·​ter·​na·​tive ȯl-ˈtər-nə-tiv, al- 

1

: alternate sense 1

2

: offering or expressing a choice

an alternative contract

see also alternative pleading at pleading sense 1b

3

: existing or functioning outside the established system

also : different from the usual or conventional

alternative sentencing

alternative

2 of 2 noun

1

: a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosen

2

a

: one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosen

b

: something which can be chosen instead