alternate

B2 · Upper Intermediate

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

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

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

“The pattern required the weaver to use alternate strands of silk and wool to achieve the desired textural contrast in the final fabric.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate American English

adj. another option or a different way of doing something.

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

Español:alterno

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

“The committee proposed an alternate plan for the park's renovation after the initial design was rejected for being over budget.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal · American English

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

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

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

“The delegation included three primary members and one alternate who was required to attend all briefings in case a substitution became necessary.”

C2 · Proficiency Botany Technical

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

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

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

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