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View synonyms for

alternative

[ awl-tur-nuh-tiv, al- ]

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.

    Synonyms: ,

  2. one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen:

    The alternative to riding is walking.

  3. a possible or remaining course or choice:

    There was no alternative but to walk.



adjective

  1. affording a choice of two or more things, propositions, or courses of action.
  2. (of two things, propositions, or courses) mutually exclusive so that if one is chosen the other must be rejected:

    The alternative possibilities are neutrality and war.

  3. employing or following nontraditional or unconventional ideas, methods, etc.; existing outside the establishment:

    an alternative newspaper; alternative lifestyles.

  4. Logic. (of a proposition) asserting two or more choices, at least one of which is true.

alternative

/ ɔːˈɜːəɪ /

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. presenting a choice, esp between two possibilities only
  2. (of two things) mutually exclusive
  3. 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
  4. logic another word for disjunctive
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٱԲپ, adverb
  • ˈٱԲپԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·ٱ·Բ·پ· adverb
  • ·ٱ·Բ·پ·Ա ·ٱ·Բ·پ··ٲ [awl-tur-n, uh, -, tiv, -i-tee, al-], noun
  • ܲ·-·ٱ·Բ·پ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of alternative1

First recorded in 1580–90; alternate + -ive
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Synonym Study

See choice.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The conservation groups argue that technology has advanced significantly since Berwick Bank was conceived and that floating wind farms, further offshore, would be a better alternative.

From

They aspire to follow in China's footsteps, and have ploughed money and effort into becoming a reliable manufacturing hub, even an alternative to China.

From

The global significance of Mark Carney's election as Canadian Prime Minister is he now sits at the centre of an alternative pole of global economic thinking.

From

Dundee University has announced an "alternative pathway" to solving the financial crisis at the institution that will see fewer job cuts than feared.

From

In its report, the workforce commission also cited the importance of alternative forms of primary care payment that offer extra cash for quality care.

From

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alternation of generationsalternative conjunction