What does "alternative" mean?

1. (a different choice) one of two or more things that you can choose between. 2. (different or other) different from the usual or traditional way of doing something. 3. (non-traditional) not traditional or mainstream, often used for music, medicine, or lifestyles. 4. (alternative rock) a style of rock music that is different from popular, mainstream music.

alternative

n. · adj.

US //ɔɫˈtɝnətɪv// UK //ɔːltˈɜːnətˌɪv// al·ter·na·tive

1 a different choice (n.)
B1 Intermediate

one of two or more things that you can choose between.

one of several mutually exclusive possibilities or options available for selection.

Example

If you don't want to go by train, the only alternative is to drive.

Example

The committee explored several viable alternatives to the proposed budget cuts, though none were as cost-effective as the original plan.
2 different or other (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

different from the usual or traditional way of doing something.

referring to a choice or possibility that is different from the one first mentioned or the one that is standard.

Example

We had to find an alternative route because the main road was closed.

Example

The researcher suggested that alternative explanations for the data should be considered before a final conclusion is reached.
- standard
- conventional

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3 non-traditional (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

not traditional or mainstream, often used for music, medicine, or lifestyles.

denoting a lifestyle, product, or artistic movement that exists outside the cultural mainstream.

Example

She prefers alternative medicine like acupuncture over taking pills.

Example

The city's vibrant alternative scene provides a platform for experimental artists who struggle to find space in commercial galleries.
- mainstream
- traditional
4 alternative rock (n.)
B1 Intermediate Music

a style of rock music that is different from popular, mainstream music.

a genre of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s.

Example

He listens to a lot of alternative from the nineties.

Example

The festival lineup featured a mix of classic alternative and emerging indie bands from across Europe.
- indie
- alt rock
- pop

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- Proto-Indo-European *h₂élyos Proto-Italic *aljos Proto-Indo-European *-teros Proto-Italic *-teros Proto-Italic *aliteros Latin alter Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Italic *-nos Latin -nus Latin alternus Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin alternō Latin alternātus Proto-Indo-European *-wósder. Latin -īvus Latin alternātīvusder. Middle French alternatifbor. English alternative From Middle French alternatif, from Medieval Latin alternātīvus (“alternating”), from the participle stem of Latin alternō (“interchange, alternate”). Compare alternate.