Word forms: plural alternativeslanguage note: The form alternate is sometimes used, especially in American English, instead of alternative in meanings [sense 2], , [sense 3], , [sense 4], and , [sense 5].
1. countable noun
If one thing is an alternativeto another, the first can be found, used, or done instead of the second.
New ways to treat arthritis may provide an alternative to painkillers. [+ to]
Synonyms: substitute, choice, other, option More Synonyms of alternative
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
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.
They had a right to seek alternative employment.
Synonyms: different, other, substitute, alternate More Synonyms of alternative
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Alternative is used to describe something that is different from the usual things of its kind, or the usual ways of doing something, in modern Western society. For example, an alternative lifestyle does not follow conventional ways of living and working.
...unconventional parents who embraced the alternative lifestyle of the Sixties.
If you like alternative comedy you'll love this book.
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Alternative medicine uses traditional ways of curing people, such as medicines made from plants, massage, and acupuncture.
...alternative health care.
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Alternative energy uses natural sources of energy such as the sun, wind, or water for power and fuel, rather than oil, coal, or nuclear power.
More Synonyms of alternative
alternative in British English
(ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv)
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
6. logic another word for disjunctive (sense 3)
Derived forms
alternatively (alˈternatively)
adverb
alternativeness (alˈternativeness)
noun
alternative in American English
(ɔlˈtɜrnətɪv; ælˈtɜrnətɪv)
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
5.
something remaining to be chosen
is there an alternative to going?
SIMILAR WORDS: choice
Derived forms
alternatively (alˈternatively)
adverb
Word origin
ML alternativus: see alternate
Examples of 'alternative' in a sentence
alternative
He hopes to find alternative jobs for them.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
An alternative is to provide physical protection to the fibre cabling in the form of a steel tube.
Computing (2010)
She appealed for more youth centres and job opportunities for young people as alternative ways to combat radicalisation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is hard to see the point in having them if they are built on when alternatives are available.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It added that it was open to considering alternative approaches for smaller advisory companies where recording may be harder.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Its products meet the challenges of ageing electricity infrastructure, digitisation and alternative energy sources.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He didn't give an alternative explanation either.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Always look on the bright side of life: the alternative may be not looking at any side of life at all.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The next issue is how extensive the obstruction is: is there space to get round your car, or an alternative route?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There are compelling arguments to make this alternative available.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Many supper clubs are no longer a cheap alternative to eating out.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
That is the alternative lifestyle and they keep us busy.
The Sun (2012)
You need to get this individual to consider your alternatives.
Harris, Jean Everything You Need to Know for Success in Business (1990)
This is a disservice to consumers but also to the new alternative energy.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We need to continue to provide people with effective alternatives to hospital treatment.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The answer suggested in this popcorn film provides an entertaining alternative to standard superhero movies.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Would you go down the alternative route if you were ill?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This must involve vigorous questioning of all research by those who may discern an alternative explanation.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Have a stock of healthy alternatives on hand.
Colette Harris, With Theresa Cheung PCOS DIET BOOK: How you can use the nutritional approach to deal with polycysticovary syndrome (2002)
Most of the time that alternative one will be inferior.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They were offered alternative accommodation much farther away.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There are other alternatives that you may be able to take.
Tondeur, Keith Say Goodbye to Debt (1994)
The associations could offer alternative properties instead.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We are offering a range of services to support employees and help them find alternative employment.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You may consider suggesting employees find an alternative means of transport.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The firm also said alternative pools were available.
The Sun (2015)
Windows that are painted shut are not considered an acceptable alternative.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
These companies are investing tiny sums in alternative energy.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We have got to be able to give people alternatives.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
No matter how good the alternatives, there are times when only the real thing will do.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In many cases they are below 2 per cent so for investors who rely on the income they are not a good alternative.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
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
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: ที่มีตัวเลือก
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
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
All related terms of 'alternative'
alternative way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
alternative comedy
a style of comedy originating in the UK in the 1980s that seeks to avoid racist or sexist stereotypes , and usually puts forward left-wing , anti-establishment views
alternative energy
a form of energy derived from a natural source, such as the sun , wind , tides , or waves
alternative fact
a theory posited as an alternative to another, often more widely accepted , theory
alternative fuel
An alternative fuel is any automotive fuel other than gasoline and diesel fuel.
alternative rock
a broad category of popular rock music typically regarded as somewhat out of the mainstream and variously including elements of punk rock, heavy metal, folk music, etc.
alternative school
any public or private school having a special curriculum , esp. an elementary or secondary school offering a more flexible program of study than a traditional school
alternative source
The source of something is the person, place, or thing which you get it from.
alternative venue
The venue for an event or activity is the place where it will happen .
alternative view
Your view of a particular subject is the way that you understand and think about it.
Alternative Vote
of or relating to a system of voting in which voters list the candidates in order of preference . If no candidate obtains more than 50% of first-preference votes, the votes for the bottom candidate are redistributed according to the voters' next preference
alternative comedian
someone who practises alternative comedy
alternative curriculum
any course of study offered as an alternative to the National Curriculum
alternative history
a genre of fiction in which the author speculates on how the course of history might have been altered if a particular historical event had had a different outcome
alternative hypothesis
the hypothesis that given data do not conform with a given null hypothesis: the null hypothesis is accepted only if its probability exceeds a predetermined significance level
alternative medicine
→ another name for complementary medicine → See also holism (sense 2 )
alternative remedies
A remedy is something that is intended to cure you when you are ill or in pain.
alternative scenario
If you talk about a likely or possible scenario , you are talking about the way in which a situation may develop.
alternative society
a society or social group that espouses values different from those of the established social order
alternative technology
a form of technology that challenges conventional technology, often being promoted as more in harmony with nature
alternative treatment
Treatment is medical attention given to a sick or injured person or animal.
alternative universe
The universe is the whole of space and all the stars , planets , and other forms of matter and energy in it.
alternative accommodation
Accommodation is used to refer to buildings or rooms where people live or stay .
alternative arrangements
Arrangements are plans and preparations which you make so that something will happen or be possible .
alternative perspective
A particular perspective is a particular way of thinking about something, especially one that is influenced by your beliefs or experiences .
Alternative Investment Market
a market on the London Stock Exchange enabling small companies to raise capital and have their shares traded in a market without the expenses of a main-market listing
complementary medicine
the treatment, alleviation, or prevention of disease by such techniques as osteopathy , homeopathy , aromatherapy , and acupuncture , allied with attention to such factors as diet and emotional stability , which can affect a person's wellbeing