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

Consumer sentiments are clearly negative, arguably driven by the belief that the same topics will be explored by alternative, free-to-read platforms. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 15 May 2025

By the time she was notified, alternative options from the same lighting company had all risen 10% in price. —Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 14 May 2025

Noun

The result is a leaner, more transparent value chain that slashes transit times, anchors skilled jobs at home, and gives automakers, wind-turbine producers, battery materials manufacturers, and aerospace primes a domestic alternative to long-distance supply lines. —William Jones, USA Today, 16 May 2025

Suunto’s Run watch costs $249, and could make a compelling alternative to the already excellent Garmin Forerunner 165 Music, at $299. —Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

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

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