alternative

1 of 2

adjective

al·​ter·​na·​tive ȯl-ˈtər-nə-tiv 

al-

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

alternatively adverb

alternativeness noun

alternative

2 of 2

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

Noun

• choice
• discretion
• druthers [dialect]
• election
• liberty
• option
• pick
• preference
• selection
• volition
• way

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

Adjective

Scientists are developing an alternative approach to treating the disease.

He developed an alternative design for the new engine.

Noun

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

Adjective

Some social media users suggested that the Al Qaeda founder’s document gives an alternative perspective about the U.S.’ involvement in conflicts in the Middle East. —Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 17 Nov. 2023

And this kind of alternative community really speaks to a lot of people. —Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 17 Nov. 2023

Wells Fargo’s century-plus streak of prosperity was propped up by the failures of Freedman’s Savings Bank and other alternative banking institutions whose fraudulent practices robbed Black families of the chance to accumulate multigenerational wealth. —WIRED, 16 Nov. 2023

This second round will fund similar companies but also those that rely on alternative chemistries, such as flow and sodium batteries. —Isabella O'Malley, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2023

Noodling catfish is considered a primitive or alternative method of take, and is usually found alongside other traditional catfishing methods like trotlining, juglining, and yoyoing in fishing regulation booklets. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 15 Nov. 2023

Neither my career, nor my sexuality, are alternative. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023

Clement argued that the county should scrap its missing-middle housing ordinance and create an alternative affordable housing plan. —Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2023

The effort starts with a terror attack on Jerusalem — specifically, the Dome of the Rock, which sits atop the Temple Mount, a sacred site in Islam and Judaism entirely controlled by Muslims in Chabon’s alternative reality. —Jack Butler, National Review, 4 Nov. 2023

Noun

How to Manage and Use Fallen Leaves for Garden Health Thomas J. Story Mowing: This is the most efficient and easiest way to manage leaf accumulation for lawns, lawn alternatives, and ground covers. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023

Maia poses a potential alternative to Nvidia’s A100 and H100 processors which currently dominate the AI chip market. —Bychristiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2023

Gather the pinecones in the middle of your table as an alternative to a floral centerpiece, or place a pinecone on each plate to add a natural touch to place settings. —Kaylei Fear, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Nov. 2023

Some commuters who turn to public transportation as an alternative might decide to stick with it after several weeks. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023

Recently, though, the global tech industry has been working to promote a simpler and more secure alternative known as passkeys. —WIRED, 15 Nov. 2023

Meanwhile, bio-succinic acid, an alternative to salicylic acid, gently exfoliates and reduces sebum production, while a Chinese plant extract called E. Sagittatum and polypeptides work together against acne bacteria—in a way that’s nonirritating. —Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 13 Nov. 2023

This dynamic with the two candidates who right now are battling to be that alternative to Donald Trump. —Nbc Universal, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2023

There are a number of streaming cable alternatives that carry these networks. —Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French alternatif "occurring by turns, alternating," borrowed from Medieval Latin alternātīvus, from Latin alternātus, past participle of alternāre "to ebb and flow, act in alternation, arrange in alternating order" + -īvus -ive — more at alternate entry 1

Noun

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

Adjective

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing alternative

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

See More

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

See More

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