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alternative
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As an adjective, alternative means relating to a choice between two or more possibilities. As a noun, it means a situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities.
Meanings of alternative
12 meaningsadjective
Relating to a choice between two or more possibilities.
“an alternative proposition”
linguisticsPresenting two or more alternatives.
“alternative conjunctions like or”
Other; different from something else.
Not traditional, outside the mainstream, underground.
“alternative medicine; alternative lifestyle; alternative rock”
Pertaining to unconventional choices
“an alternative life style”
Older and rare meanings (1)
obsoleteAlternate, reciprocal.
noun
A situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities; a choice between two or more possibilities.
One of several mutually exclusive things which can be chosen.
The remaining option; something available after other possibilities have been exhausted.
musicAlternative rock
A non-offensive word or phrase that serves as a replacement for a word deemed offensive or unacceptable, though not as a euphemism.
“Disability activists discourage the use of the words "crazy" and "insane" due to their negative connections to mental health, suggesting alternatives such as "wild", "silly", or "out of this world", which do not relate to mental health.”
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).