alternative

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   One of two or more things you can choose between.

   If you don't like coffee, tea is a good alternative.

2. 2
   adj

   Available to be used instead of something else.

   We need an alternative plan in case it rains.

3. 3
   adj

   Different from what is usual or traditional; outside the mainstream.

   Many people are turning to alternative medicine.

Common collocations

• alternative medicine Adjective + noun

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 (“alternat…

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images