alternatively B2 Topic:Describing Qualities US /ɔlˈtɝ.nə.tɪv.li/ UK /ɒlˈtɜː(ɹ).nə.tɪv.li/ See IPA manual Freq #40880 Meanings 1 adv Used to suggest another possibility or choice. We could eat now, or alternatively wait until the others arrive. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 adv · used to suggest another... insteador else Etymology AI details From alternative + -ly. Topics Describing Qualities External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # alternatively **Type:** Word **Level:** B2 **Part of speech:** adv **IPA (US):** /ɔlˈtɝ.nə.tɪv.li/ **IPA (UK):** /ɒlˈtɜː(ɹ).nə.tɪv.li/ **Frequency rank:** 40880 ## Meanings 1. Used to suggest another possibility or choice. ## Examples - We could eat now, or alternatively wait until the others arrive. ## Etymology From alternative + -ly. ## AI Etymology Alternatively is from alternative plus -ly. The suffix -ly recasts alternative as an adverb: the lexical idea remains recognizable, but the word now describes manner, degree, or circumstance rather than naming the quality by itself. In use as an adverb, alternatively denotes used to suggest another possibility or choice. Typical contexts include “We could eat now, or alternatively wait until the others arrive”. The meaning stays close to the form: it applies the etymological material to used to suggest another possibility or choice, keeping the visible parts legible in ordinary use. ## Topics - Describing Qualities markdown