alternative

Pluralalternatives

1. 1
   another choicenouncountable

   Another thing you can choose instead, or the only choice left.

   Like choosing one road when two roads split: you can only take one.

   If you don't like coffee, tea is a good alternative.

   She weighed the alternatives and chose the cheapest one.

   UsageSay an alternative to something. No alternative but to means no other choice.

   Similaroption, choice, substitute, possibility

   Note
2. 2
   differingadjective

   Different from the usual one, or another option you can use instead.

   Like taking a side path instead of the main one.

   We took an alternative road to avoid the traffic.

   The teacher offered an alternative way to solve the problem.

   UsageAlternate days means every other day; that is a different word.

   Similardifferent, other, alternate

3. 3
   not mainstreamadjective

   Not following the usual or popular style, outside the mainstream.

   Like a band that plays in small clubs instead of big arenas.

   He listens to alternative music instead of the popular hits.

   They live an alternative lifestyle far from the city.

   UsageYou often hear alternative music and alternative medicine.

   Similarunconventional, underground, unorthodox, nonconformist

   Oppositemainstream, conventional, traditional

   Note
4. 4
   rock musicnoununcountable

   A style of rock music that grew out of small, independent music scenes in the late 1970s and 1980s.

   Like music made in garages and small clubs instead of big studios.

   He grew up listening to alternative on the local radio.

   The festival mixed pop, hip-hop, and alternative.

   Note
5. 5
   choice of twoadjective

   Giving a choice between two or more things.

   Like the word 'or,' which sets two choices side by side.

   We looked at the alternative plans and picked one.

   "Tea or coffee?" is an alternative question with two possible answers.

   Note

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