The meaning of ALTERNATIVE is offering or expressing a choice. How to use alternative in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Alternative.

ALTERNATIVE definition: a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes any other possibility. See examples of …

/ ɑːlˈtɝː.nə.t̬ɪv / B2 something that is different from something else, especially from what is usual, and offering the possibility of choice: an alternative to an alternative to coffee

If one thing is an alternative to another, the first can be found, used, or done instead of the second.

· As an adjective, alternative can mean "allowing or requiring a choice between two or more things," as in We wrote an alternative statement in case the first was rejected by the board.

Factsheet What does the word alternative mean? There are 13 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word alternative. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Feb 11, 2026 · Adjective alternative (not comparable) Relating to a choice between two or more possibilities.

Alternative refers to one or more options or choices available as a substitute or replacement to the existing one. It generally denotes the possibility of choice between two or more things.

A choice or course of action that is mutually exclusive with another. The alternative to staying in that dead-end job is to quit.

ALTERNATIVE meaning: 1 : offering or expressing a choice; 2 : not usual or traditional often used to describe something that is more natural or that causes less pollution than the usual product, method, …