Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
alprostadil
Alps
already
alright
ALS
Alsace
Alsace-Lorraine
Alsatian
alsike clover
also
also-ran
alstroemeria
Alt
alt-
alt.
Alt key
alt rock
Click to move down the list of words
Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

alternative

al·ter·na·tive [ awl túrnətiv ]


noun  (plural al·ter·na·tives)
Definition:
 
1. other possibility: something different from, and able to serve as a substitute for, something else
You could take the bus as an alternative to driving.

2. possibility of choosing: the possibility of choosing between two different things or courses of action
We gave you the alternative; you decided to stay.

3. option: either one of two, or one of several, things or courses of action to choose between
I can't decide which of the two alternatives is worse.



adjective 
Definition:
 
1. Canada 
Same as  alternateadj (sense 3)


2. mutually exclusive: of which only one can be true, or only one can be used or chosen, or take place at any one time
There are two alternative theories as to why this phenomenon occurs.

3. unconventionally nontraditional: outside the establishment or mainstream, and often presented as being less institutionalized or conventional, or more natural or economical with resources
alternative methods of painting

4. logic 
Same as  disjunctiveadj (sense 3)



Word Usage

See alternate.

Advertisement

© 2009 Microsoft