ENGLISH
REFERENCE

alternate

v. · adj. · n.
US //ˈɔɫtɝˌneɪt// al·ter·nate
  1. 1 to switch back and forth (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to happen or do something in turns, switching from one thing to another and back again.

    to occur or perform in a repeated, reciprocal succession. Often used with the preposition 'between' or 'with'.

    Example

    The weather seemed to alternate between rain and sunshine all afternoon.

    Example

    The director chose to alternate between close-up shots of the protagonist and wide-angle views of the desolate landscape to emphasize her isolation.
  2. 2 every second one (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    every second thing in a series, or happening one after the other in a pattern.

    occurring by turns or in a series where members regularly intervene between others; every second member of a sequence.

    Example

    The club meets on alternate Saturdays, so we have a break every other week.

    Example

    The pattern required the weaver to use alternate strands of silk and wool to achieve the desired textural contrast in the final fabric.
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  1. 3 another choice (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    another option or a different way of doing something.

    serving as an alternative or a different choice. Primarily used in American English where British English might prefer 'alternative'.

    Example

    If the main road is closed, we will have to find an alternate route.

    Example

    The committee proposed an alternate plan for the park's renovation after the initial design was rejected for being over budget.
  2. 4 a substitute person (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal American English

    a person who is ready to take the place of someone else if they cannot attend.

    a person designated to take the place of another in a specific duty or role if the primary individual is unavailable.

    Example

    She was chosen as an alternate for the national debate team.

    Example

    The delegation included three primary members and one alternate who was required to attend all briefings in case a substitution became necessary.
  3. 5 leaf arrangement (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Botany

    leaves that grow at different levels on a stem rather than in pairs.

    describing leaves or buds that are arranged singly at different heights along a stem.

    Example

    You can identify this plant by its alternate leaves that zigzag up the branch.

    Example

    The species is easily distinguished from its relatives by its alternate leaf phyllotaxy, whereas most other plants in the genus exhibit opposite growth.
Origin

Borrowed from Latin alternātus, the perfect passive participle of Latin alternō (“to take turns”) (see -ate (1,2 and 3)), from alternus (“one after another, by turns”), from alter (“other”) + -nus. Doublet of altern; see also alter.

Word family

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