alternative

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n.

1. 1. The choice between two mutually exclusive possibilities.
   2. A situation presenting such a choice.
   3. Either of these possibilities. See synonyms at choice.
2. Usage Problem. One of a number of things from which one must be chosen.

adj.

1. Allowing or necessitating a choice between two or more things.
2. 1. Existing outside traditional or established institutions or systems: an alternative lifestyle.
   2. Espousing or reflecting values that are different from those of the establishment or mainstream: an alternative newspaper; alternative greeting cards.
3. Usage Problem. Substitute or different; other.

alternatively al·ter'na·tive·ly adv.

USAGE NOTE   Some traditionalists hold that alternative should be used only in situations where the number of choices involved is exactly two, because of the word's historical relation to Latin alter, “the other of two.” Despite the word's longstanding use to mean “one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen” and the acceptance of this usage by many language critics, a substantial portion of the Usage Panel adheres to the traditional view, with only 49 percent accepting the sentence Of the three alternatives, the first is the least distasteful. • Alternative is also sometimes used to refer to a variant or substitute in cases where there is no element of choice involved, as in We will do our best to secure alternative employment for employees displaced by the closing of the factory. This sentence is unacceptable to 60 percent of the Usage Panel. • Alternative should not be confused with alternate. Correct usage requires The class will meet on alternate (not alternative) Tuesdays.

noun

The power or right of choosing: choice, option. See choice.

n

Definition: possible choice
Antonyms: compulsion, constraint, necessity, obligation, restraint

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See variant.

IN BRIEF: A choice between two or more things.

A garden is the best alternative therapy. — Germaine Greer

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Dansk (Danish)
adj. - alternativ, anden
n. - alternativ, valgmulighed

idioms:

• alternative arrangement    alternativ mulighed, nødløsning
• alternative comedy    alternativ komedie, politisk korrekt komedie
• alternative energy    alternativ energi
• alternative medicine    naturmedicin

Nederlands (Dutch)
alternatief

Français (French)
adj. - alternatif, autre, (Philos) alternatif, (Mil) de repli, (Tech) de rechange, (Aut) de délestage, différent (un mode de vie), (US, École) adoptant des méthodes nouvelles, nouveau, de substitution (une énergie)
n. - alternative, solution de remplacement, solution de rechange, choix, (Philos) terme d'une alternative, terme d'un dilemne

idioms:

• alternative arrangement    solution de remplacement
• alternative comedy    (Théât) nouvelle comédie, mouveau comique
• alternative energy    énergie de substitution
• alternative medicine    médecine douce, médecine alternative

Deutsch (German)
adj. - Alternativ-
n. - Alternative, Ausweichmöglichkeit

idioms:

• alternative arrangement    Ausweichmöglichkeit
• alternative comedy    sozialkritische Komödie (Komödiengattung, die Stereotypen ablehnt)
• alternative energy    alternative Energie
• alternative medicine    alternative Medizin

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - επιλογή, εναλλακτική λύση, εκλογή, διέξοδος
adj. - εναλλακτικός, διαζευκτικός

idioms:

• alternative arrangement    εναλλακτική ρύθμιση
• alternative comedy    ανατρεπτική κωμωδία
• alternative energy    εναλλακτικές (φυσικές) πηγές ενέργειας
• alternative medicine    εναλλακτική ιατρική

Italiano (Italian)
alternativa, alternativo

idioms:

• alternative comedy    teatro alternativo
• alternative energy    energia alternativa
• alternative medicine    medicina alternativa

Português (Portuguese)
n. - alternativa (f), preferência (f)
adj. - alternativo

idioms:

• alternative comedy    comédia (f) alternativa
• alternative energy    energia (f) alternativa
• alternative medicine    medicina (f) alternativa

Русский (Russian)
альтернатива, альтернативный

idioms:

• alternative comedy    нетрадиционная комедия
• alternative energy    неальтернативная энергия
• alternative medicine    альтернативная медицина

Español (Spanish)
adj. - opción, alternativo
n. - alternativa, opción

idioms:

• alternative arrangement    arreglo alternativo
• alternative comedy    comedia alternativa
• alternative energy    energía alternativa
• alternative medicine    medicina alternativa

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - alternativ
adj. - alternativ

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
两者择一的, 替代的, 非此即彼的, 供选择的, 选择, 二择一, 选择的自由, 供选择的东西

idioms:

• alternative arrangement    交错排列, 替代安排, 替代方案
• alternative comedy    非传统的喜剧
• alternative energy    非传统能源
• alternative medicine    替代药品, 非现代西方医学传统的医药

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
adj. - 兩者擇一的, 替代的, 非此即彼的, 供選擇的
n. - 選擇, 二擇一, 選擇的自由, 供選擇的東西

idioms:

• alternative arrangement    交錯排列, 替代安排, 替代方案
• alternative comedy    非傳統的喜劇
• alternative energy    非傳統能源
• alternative medicine    替代藥品, 非現代西方醫學傳統的醫藥

한국어 (Korean)
adj. - 하나를 고르는, 대신의
n. - 양자 택일, 대안

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 二者択一, 選択, 選べるもの, 代わりになるもの, 選択肢
adj. - どちらかの, 代わりの, 二者択一の

idioms:

• alternative arrangement    代案
• alternative comedy    熱狂的な支持者を持つ小演劇
• alternative energy    新エネルギー
• alternative medicine    代替医療

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) خياري (صفه) تخيير‏

עברית (Hebrew)
adj. - ‮חלופי, אלטרנטיבי‬
n. - ‮ברירה, חלופה, אלטרנטיבה‬

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Real Alternative	alternative medicine
alternative magazine	alternative medicines