alternate

Formsalternates, alternating, alternated

Pluralalternates

1. 1
   verbintransitive

   To happen one after the other, again and again, taking turns with something else.

   Sunny days alternate with rainy ones all spring.

   In her drawing, red stripes alternate with blue ones.

2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To do or use two things one after the other, again and again.

   Try to alternate running and walking on your first day.

   The coach alternated the two goalies from game to game.

   Similarrotate

   Note
3. 3
   adjectiveUS

   Different from the usual one, and able to be used instead.

   We took an alternate road because of the crash.

   The movie has an alternate ending that most people never saw.

   Similaralternative, backup, different

   Oppositemain, usual

   Note
4. 4
   adjective

   Every second one in a series, like the odd numbers or the even numbers.

   Pick alternate numbers from 1 to 9, and you get 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.

   The teacher asked us to color alternate squares on the grid.

   Note
5. 5
   adjective

   Coming one after the other, taking turns again and again.

   My brother and I wash the dishes on alternate nights.

   The flag has alternate stripes of red and white.

   Note
6. 6
   nounUScountable

   Someone or something ready to take the place of another if needed.

   The first trail was closed, so we had to find an alternate.

   Two alternates sat with the jury in case someone had to leave.

   Similarsubstitute, replacement, stand-in, backup

   Note
7. 7
   verbintransitive

   To keep changing from one thing to another and back again.

   The weather can alternate between hot and cold in April.

   Her mood alternated between happy and sad all day.

   Similarfluctuate, oscillate, swing, seesaw, vary

8. 8
   nounUScountable

   Something just as good or better, used instead of another thing.

   The red bike was sold out, so the shop gave her an alternate that was just as good.

   If a part is missing, the mechanic will put in an alternate that works as well or better.

   Similarreplacement, substitute, equivalent, alternative

   Note
9. 9
   adjective

   Used of leaves that grow one by one at different heights along a stem.

   This plant has alternate leaves, so no two leaves grow from the same spot.

   Look at the oak twig: its leaves are alternate, each one a little higher than the last.

   Oppositeopposite

   Note
10. 10
    nouncountable

    A thing that takes turns with another thing, or a change in how life goes.

    Grateful alternates of substantial peace.

    1718, Mat[thew] Prior, “Solomon on the Vanity of the World. A Poem in Three Books.”Here, alternates means turns or changes, times of peace coming in turn with other times.

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