Definition of alternative
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : offering or expressing a choice
several alternative plans
2 : different from the usual or conventional: such as
a : existing or functioning outside the established cultural, social, or economic system
an alternative newspaper alternative lifestyles
b : of, relating to, or being rock music that is regarded as an alternative to conventional rock and is typically influenced by punk rock, hard rock, hip-hop, or folk music
an alternative band also : of, relating to, or being music of a genre other than rock that is similarly regarded as an alternative to the conventional music of that genre alternative country
c : of or relating to alternative medicine alternative therapies
3 : occurring or succeeding by turns : alternate sense 1
alternative
nounDefinition of alternative (Entry 2 of 2)
1a : 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
2a : 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
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Time Traveler for alternative
The first known use of alternative was in 1540
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