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

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

1580-90; alternate + -ive

Related forms

alternatively, adverb

alternativeness, alternativity, noun

quasi-alternative, adjective

quasi-alternatively, adverb

Can be confused

alternate, alternative.

Synonyms

1. option, selection. See choice.

Examples from the web for alternative

Career choice in an alternative universe: music composer.
The choice must ever be in favor of righteousness, and this whether the alternative be peace or whether the alternative be war.
When an alternative movement goes mainstream, it relinquishes its alternative credentials.
All artwork must be accompanied by alternative text.
The only leisure alternative to television is public space.
The search for alternative fuels is extremely important.
Online learning and virtual public schools are an alternative to attending public school.
If other drivers have hit traffic, you're notified to take an alternative route.
There is a better alternative for producing Hydrogen using only sunlight.
This is a delicious alternative to pumpkin pie.

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 (sense 3)

Derived Forms

alternatively, adverb
alternativeness, noun

Word Origin and History for alternative

adj.

1580s, "offering one or the other of two," from Medieval Latin alternativus, from Latin alternatus, past participle of alternare (see alternate (v.)). Meaning "purporting to be a superior choice to what is in general use" was current by 1970 (earliest reference is to the media); e.g. alternative energy (1975). Related: Alternatively.

1620s, in rhetoric, from Medieval Latin alternativus (see alternative (adj.)). Of courses of action, from 1814. Of objects, etc., "the other of two which may be chosen," by 1838.

Encyclopedia Article for alternative

alt-rock

pop music style, built on distorted guitars and rooted in generational discontent, that dominated and changed rock between 1991 and 1996. It burst into the mainstream when "Smells Like Teen Spirit"-the first major-label single from Nirvana, a trio based in Seattle, Washington, U.S.-became a national hit. Suddenly, older, difficult, and even anarchic movements, as well as a previous decade of do-it-yourself college rock, acquired a flashy beachhead on pop radio.

Learn more about alt-rock with a free trial on Britannica.com