alternative

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

/ ɔlˈtɜr nə tɪv, æl- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR alternative ON THESAURUS.COM

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

affording a choice of two or more things, propositions, or courses of action.

(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.

employing or following nontraditional or unconventional ideas, methods, etc.; existing outside the establishment: an alternative newspaper; alternative lifestyles.

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

Also alternate (for defs 1–4, 6).

Origin of alternative

First recorded in 1580–90; alternate + -ive

SYNONYMS FOR alternative

1 option, selection.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR alternative ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Words nearby alternative

alternating voltage, alternating-gradient focusing, alternation, alternation of generations, alternation of heart, alternative, alternative conjunction, alternative curriculum, alternative energy, alternative fuel, alternative history

Example sentences from the Web for alternatively

Sudden peace, buoyancy, contentment, or alternatively sorrow or physical pain.

Knocking on Heaven's Door: True Stories of Unexplained, Uncanny Experiences at the Hour of Death |Patricia Pearson |August 11, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Alternatively, there is an informal proposal to set up a special inquiry into atrocities in Syria.

U.S.: Assad’s ‘Machinery of Death’ Worst Since the Nazis |Josh Rogin |July 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Or, alternatively, we could run away scot-free down Fifth Avenue and pause now and then to inseminate someone.

The Ridiculousness of Father's Day |P. J. O’Rourke |June 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Or, alternatively, why should we think that the way the state has currently determined that question is the correct one?

How Cliven Bundy and the Land Rights Movement Screws Native Americans |Caitlin Dickson |May 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Alternatively, Paul could just coast to an easy senate reelection and enjoy life on the 2016 sidelines.

President or Senator? Pick One, Rand Paul |Myra Adams |March 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Alternatively the gods lift the earth out of the primeval waters.

An Introduction to Mythology |Lewis Spence
Damaraland is alternatively known as Hereroland, both names being derived from the tribes inhabiting the region.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 9 |Various
This sequence is spelled diy or, alternatively, dy in Cebuano publications.

A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan |John U. Wolff
Alternatively, and by arrangement with France, the line could start from Libreville.

The Rise of Rail-Power in War and Conquest, 1833-1914 |Edwin A. Pratt
(Alternatively, replace "en" by "al" and retain the nominative case).

The International Auxiliary Language Esperanto |George Cox

British Dictionary definitions for alternatively

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

alternative

noun

adjective

Origin of alternative

SYNONYMS FOR alternative

synonym study for alternative

OTHER WORDS FROM alternative

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH alternative

Words nearby alternative

Example sentences from the Web for alternatively

British Dictionary definitions for alternatively

noun

adjective

Derived forms of alternative

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

alternative

noun

adjective

Origin of alternative

SYNONYMS FOR alternative

synonym study for alternative

OTHER WORDS FROM alternative

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH alternative

Words nearby alternative

Words related to alternatively

Example sentences from the Web for alternatively

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for alternatively

noun

adjective

Derived forms of alternative

British Dictionary definitions for alternatively