alternative

alternative is part of the Academic Word List. It is important for students in college and university.

Pronunciation

• enPR: /ăl-tûr'nə-tĭv/
• IPA: /ɒltɜːnətiv/
• SAMPA: /Al"t@`n@tIv/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

Adjective

Positive alternative

Comparative more alternative

Superlative most alternative

1. An alternative approach, way, source, etc. is not the usual one.

   Do you have some alternative transportation in case the car breaks down.

   They're not really a pop band. They're more alternative than that.

   I recommend an alternative lifestyle.

Related words

• alternatively

Synonyms

• other
• one
• alternate
• substitute

Idiomatic phrases

• alternative conjunction
• alternative energy
• alternative medicine

Noun

Singular alternative

Plural alternatives

1. An alternative is something else that you can choose.

   We only have two alternatives: stay here or go back.

   St Mungo's shelter for the homeless offers a new alternative to sleeping on the streets.