Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Al·ter·na·tive

   /ôlˈtərnədiv/

   

   adjective

   • 1. (of one or more things) available as another possibility: "the various alternative methods for resolving disputes" Similar differentotheranothersecondpossiblesubstitutereplacementdeputyreliefproxysurrogatecoverfill-instand-instandbyemergencyreservebackupauxiliaryfallbackalternateinformal:pinch-hitting
   • ▪ (of two things) mutually exclusive: "the facts fit two alternative scenarios"
   • ▪ relating to behavior that is considered unconventional and is often seen as a challenge to traditional norms: "an alternative lifestyle" Similar unorthodoxunconventionalnonstandardunusualuncommonunwontedout of the ordinaryradicalrevolutionarynonconformistunconformingirregularoffbeatoff-centeravant-gardeoriginalnewnovelfresheccentricexoticBohemianidiosyncraticabnormalextremedivergentaberrantanomalousbizarreoutlandishperverseinformal:off the walloddballway-outcrankyzanyrare:heteroclite

   noun

   • 1. one of two or more available possibilities: "audiobooks are an interesting alternative to reading"

   Word Origin mid 16th century (in the sense ‘alternating, alternate’): from French alternatif, -ive or medieval Latin alternativus, from Latin alternare ‘interchange’ (see alternate).

   Scrabble Points: 14

   • A

     1

   • L

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

   • N

     1

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • V

     4

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less