Meanings
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1
noun
One of two or more things you can choose between.
If you don't like coffee, tea is a good alternative.
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2
adj
Available to be used instead of something else.
We need an alternative plan in case it rains.
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3
adj
Different from what is usual or traditional; outside the mainstream.
Many people are turning to alternative medicine.
Thesaurus
Etymology
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…
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