I. ȯl-ˈtər-nə-tiv, al- adjective
Date: 1540
1. : alternate 1
2. : offering or expressing a choice
several alternative plans
3. : different from the usual or conventional: as
a. : existing or functioning outside the established cultural, social, or economic system
an alternative newspaper
alternative lifestyles
b. : of, relating to, or being rock music that is regarded as an alternative to conventional rock and is typically influenced by punk rock, hard rock, hip-hop, or folk music
c. : of or relating to alternative medicine
alternative therapies
• al·ter·na·tive·ly adverb
• al·ter·na·tive·ness noun
II. noun
Date: 1624
1.
a. : a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosen
b. : an opportunity for deciding between two or more courses or propositions
2.
a. : one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosen
b. : something which can be chosen instead
the only alternative to intervention
3. : alternative rock music
Synonyms: see choice