alternative

[ awl-tur-nuh-tiv, al- ]
/ ɔlˈtɜr nə tɪv, æl- /

noun

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.
one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen: The alternative to riding is walking.
a possible or remaining course or choice: There was no alternative but to walk.

adjective

Also alternate (for defs 1–4, 6).

Origin of alternative

First recorded in 1580–90; alternate + -ive

synonym study for alternative

1. See choice.

OTHER WORDS FROM alternative

al·ter·na·tive·ly, adverb al·ter·na·tive·ness, al·ter·na·tiv·i·ty, noun qua·si-al·ter·na·tive, adjective qua·si-al·ter·na·tive·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH alternative

alternate alternative

Example sentences from the Web for alternative

British Dictionary definitions for alternative

alternative
/ (ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv) /

noun

a possibility of choice, esp between two things, courses of action, etc
either of such choices we took the alternative of walking

adjective

presenting a choice, esp between two possibilities only
(of two things) mutually exclusive
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
logic another word for disjunctive (def. 3)

Derived forms of alternative

alternatively, adverb alternativeness, noun