What does alternative mean in English?

You can learn alternative Pronunciation, Grammar & Synonyms in this most authoritative English Dictionary.

alternative Meaning, Definition, Pronunciation, Grammar & Synonyms❤️

0 An alternative plan or method is one that you can use if you do not want to use another one:
- The opposition parties have so far failed to set out an alternative strategy.
- An alternative venue for the concert is being sought.
- alternative comedy
1 something that is different from something else, especially from what is usual, and offering the possibility of choice:
- an alternative to coffee
- There must be an alternative to people sleeping on the streets.
- I'm afraid I have no alternative but to ask you to leave (= that is what I have to do).
2 something that is different, esp. from what is usual; a choice:
- You can make it look good by comparing it to a crummy alternative.
- I have no alternative but to ask you to leave.
3 offering a choice between two or more things:
- People stay because they don’t have alternative opportunities.

High vehicles must take an alternative route because of low clearance under the bridge.
Government funding of alternative healthcare is virtually non-existent.
Despite all the advances in modern medicine, demand for alternative therapies and faith healing keeps growing.
In Los Angeles many companies encourage their employees to use alternative means of transportation, rather than the car.
Doctors these days tend to be more open-minded about alternative medicine.
Carob is sometimes used in sweet foods as a healthier alternative to chocolate.
Solar power is now a viable alternative to oil-fired water heaters.
The alternative is to tunnel a route through the mountain.

0 Alternate(ly), alternative(ly)
1 Alternate(ly)

The adjective alternate and the adverb alternately mean ‘first one thing, then another thing and then the first thing again’. When we refer to time, we can also use the phrase every other day, every other week, etc.
2 Alternative(ly)

Alternative(ly) means ‘something that is different and unusual and offers a possible choice’: