alternative
noun OPAL W
/ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/
/ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv/
- a thing that you can choose to do or have out of two or more possibilities
- The car is too expensive so we're trying to find a cheaper alternative.
- There is a vegetarian alternative on the menu every day.
- We had no alternative but to fire Gibson.
- to offer/provide an alternative
- alternative to something Does this offer a viable alternative to the existing system?
- as an alternative to something Fruit juice is provided as an alternative to alcoholic drinks.
- alternative for somebody This treatment is the only alternative for some patients.
Synonyms optionoption- choice
- alternative
- possibility
- option something that you can choose to have or do; the freedom to choose what you do:
- As I see it, we have two options…
- Students have the option of studying abroad in their second year.
- choice the freedom to choose what you do; something that you can choose to have or do:
- If I had the choice, I would stop working tomorrow.
- There is a wide range of choices open to you.
- alternative something that you can choose to have or do out of two or more possibilities:
- You can be paid in cash weekly or by cheque monthly: those are the two alternatives.
- possibility one of the different things that you can do in a particular situation:
- We need to explore a wide range of possibilities.
- The possibilities are endless.
- with/without the option/choice/possibility of something
- a(n) good/acceptable/reasonable/possible option/choice/alternative
- the only option/choice/alternative/possibility open to somebody
- to have a/an/the option/choice of doing something
- to have no option/choice/alternative but to do something
- a number/range of options/choices/alternatives/possibilities
Extra ExamplesTopics Preferences and decisionsa2- His idea seemed to offer a possible alternative.
- Is there an alternative to surgery for this complaint?
- There is no alternative for those with no car of their own.
- They are seeking alternatives to fossil fuels.
- We'll have to find an alternative.
- a healthier alternative to fizzy drinks
- seeking alternatives to nuclear power
- We can agree to their terms or else pull out of the deal completely: those are the two alternatives.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- attractive
- effective
- good
- …
- have
- offer
- provide
- …
- be available
- exist
- alternative for
- alternative to
- have little alternative (but to)
- have no alternative (but to)
- leave somebody with no alternative (but to)
- …
Word Originmid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘alternating, alternate’): from French alternatif, -ive or medieval Latin alternativus, from Latin alternare ‘interchange’, from alternus ‘every other’, from alter ‘other’.