alternative
Other forms: alternatives
When you're facing a fork in the road, you have two possibilities, or alternatives. You could take the left fork and see where it leads, or you could choose the path that goes to the right.
Whenever there is an alternative, it involves a choice. A wealthy student has the choice of going to a public school, or the alternative, a private school. Alternative can also refer to a different way of doing things, outside the norm. You might say that a hermit who lives in remote a cave with a pet turtle is living an alternative lifestyle.
Definitions of alternative
-
one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen“there no other alternative”
-
types:
- show 10 types...
- hide 10 types...
-
obverse
the more conspicuous of two alternatives or cases or sides
-
druthers, preference
the right or chance to choose
-
default, default option
an option that is selected automatically unless an alternative is specified
-
opening, possibility, possible action
a possible alternative
-
impossibility, impossible action
an alternative that is not available
-
Hobson's choice
the choice of taking what is offered or nothing at all
-
soft option
an easier alternative
-
wish
the particular preference that you have
-
possible
something that can be done
-
impossible
something that cannot be done
-
type of:
-
deciding, decision making
the cognitive process of reaching a decision
-
necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities“alternative possibilities were neutrality or war”
-
Synonyms:
-
disjunctive
serving or tending to divide or separate
-
disjunctive
-
serving or used in place of another“an alternative plan”
-
synonyms:
alternate, substitute
-
secondary
being of second rank or importance or value; not direct or immediate
-
secondary
-
pertaining to unconventional choices“an alternative life style”
-
Synonyms:
-
unconventional
not conventional or conformist
-
unconventional
Pronunciation
US
/ɔlˈtərnədɪv/
UK
/ɒlˈtənətɪv/
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
- MLA
- APA
- Chicago
Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘alternative'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
Send us feedback
Commonly confused words
alternate / alternative
To alternate is to take turns; an alternative is an option. When you wear your checkered blazer, the black and white squares alternate. But if you're not feeling like an '80s guitar hero, the green plaid jacket is a nice alternative.
Word Family
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Look up alternative for the last time
Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.
