Definition of 'alternative'
Word forms: plural alternatives
1. countable noun
If one thing is an alternative to another, the first can be found, used, or done instead of the second.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Alternative medicine uses traditional ways of curing people, such as medicines made from plants, massage, and acupuncture.
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
alternative
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
Word Frequency
alternative in British English
noun
1.
a possibility of choice, esp between two things, courses of action, etc
2.
either of such choices
we took the alternative of walking
adjective
3.
presenting a choice, esp between two possibilities only
4.
(of two things) mutually exclusive
5.
denoting a lifestyle, culture, art form, etc, regarded by its adherents as preferable to that of contemporary society because it is less conventional, materialistic, or institutionalized, and, often, more in harmony with nature
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
alternatively (alˈternatively) adverb
alternativeness (alˈternativeness)
noun
Word Frequency
alternative in American English
adjective
1.
providing or being a choice between two or among more than two things
alternative routes
2.
designating or of an institution, enterprise, etc. that appeals to unconventional or nontraditional interests
an alternative school
noun
3.
a choice between two or among more than two things
4.
either or one of the things to be chosen
SIMILAR WORDS: choice
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
alternatively (alˈternatively)
adverb
Word Frequency
alternative in American English
(ɔlˈtɜːrnətɪv, æl-)
noun
1.
a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes any other possibility
You have the alternative of riding or walking
2.
one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen
The alternative to riding is walking
adjective
Also (for defs. 1–4, 6): alternateSYNONYMS 1. option, selection. See choice.4.
affording a choice of two or more things, propositions, or courses of action
5. (of two things, propositions, or courses)
The alternative possibilities are neutrality and war
6.
employing or following nontraditional or unconventional ideas, methods, etc.; existing outside the establishment
an alternative newspaper
alternative lifestyles
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
alternatively adverb
alternativeness alternativity
noun
Word origin
[1580–90; alternate + -ive]Examples of 'alternative' in a sentence
alternative
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In other languages
alternative
British English: alternative
/ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/ ADJECTIVE
An alternative plan or offer is different from the one that you already have, and can be done or used instead.
There were alternative methods of travel available.
- American English: alternative /ɔlˈtɜrnətɪv/
- Arabic: بَدِيل
- Brazilian Portuguese: alternativo
- Chinese: 二中择一的
- Croatian: alternativan
- Czech: alternativní
- Danish: alternativ
- Dutch: alternatief
- European Spanish: alternativo
- Finnish: vaihtoehtoinen
- French: alternatif
- German: alternativ
- Greek: εναλλακτικός
- Italian: alternativo
- Japanese: 代わりの
- Korean: 양자 택일인
- Norwegian: alternativ
- Polish: alternatywny
- European Portuguese: alternativo
- Romanian: alternativ
- Russian: альтернативный
- Latin American Spanish: alternativo
- Swedish: alternativ omväxlande
- Thai: ซึ่งมีตัวเลือก, ซึ่งมีทางเลือก
- Turkish: alternatif
- Ukrainian: альтернативний
- Vietnamese: khác
British English: alternative
/ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/ NOUN
If one thing is an alternative to another, the first can be found, used, or done instead of the second.
New ways to treat arthritis may provide an alternative to painkillers.
- American English: alternative /ɔlˈtɜrnətɪv/
- Arabic: بَدِيل
- Brazilian Portuguese: alternativa
- Chinese: 二中择一
- Croatian: alternativa
- Czech: alternativa
- Danish: alternativ
- Dutch: alternatief
- European Spanish: alternativa
- Finnish: vaihtoehto
- French: alternative
- German: Alternative
- Greek: εναλλακτική λύση
- Italian: alternativa
- Japanese: 選択肢
- Korean: 양자 택일
- Norwegian: alternativ
- Polish: alternatywa
- European Portuguese: alternativa
- Romanian: alternativă
- Russian: альтернатива
- Latin American Spanish: alternativa
- Swedish: alternativ val
- Thai: ทางเลือก
- Turkish: seçenek
- Ukrainian: альтернатива
- Vietnamese: phương án thay thế
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