alternative

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: alterative, altercative, malternative, alternativo, alternativa, alternate, alternating, alternatives, alternation, alternatim, mallternative

Antonyms: alterative, altercative, malternative, alternativo, alternativa, alternate, alternating, alternatives, alternation, alternatim, mallternative

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Adjective

1. Relating to a [[choice]] between two or more possibilities.<!-- cf. OED: "Stating or offering the one or the other of two things of which either may be taken." --> <!-- cf. also in OED: "Of two things: Such that one or the other may be chosen, the choice of either involving the rejection of the other. (Sometimes of more than two.)" -->
2. {{U|other}}; [[different]] from something else. <!-- OED: "ellipt. The other (of two), which may be chosen instead." -->
3. Not [[traditional]], outside the [[mainstream]], [[underground]].<!-- cf. OED: "Having an alternative bearing, purport, or use."-->
4. {{lb|en|obsolete}} [[alternate|Alternate]], [[reciprocal]]. <!-- cf. OED: "Characterized by alternation; alternate." -->

Noun

1. A [[situation]] which allows a [[mutually exclusive]] choice between two or more [[possibilities]]; a choice between two or more possibilities. {{defdate|from 17th c.}}
2. One of several mutually exclusive things which can be chosen. {{defdate|from 17th c.}}
3. The remaining [[option]]; something available after other possibilities have been exhausted. {{defdate|from 18th c.}}
4. {{lb|en|uncountable|music}} [[alternative rock]]
5. A non-offensive word or phrase that serves as a [[replacement]] for a word deemed [[offensive]] or [[unacceptable]], though not as a [[euphemism]].

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.