alternative Definition

alternative
adj

1. Said of, strictly speaking, two, but often used of more than two, possibilities: secondary or different, especially in terms of being less favourable as a choice.

Example: had to make alternative travel plans
2. Said of a lifestyle, culture, etc: outside the conventionally accepted ways of doing something and therefore thought of by adherents as preferable.

noun

1. The possibility of having the option to choose, strictly speaking, between two things but often used of more than two or of an unknown number.

Example: we had no alternative but to take the train
Example: We had no alternative but to take the train
Thesaurus: choice, option, recourse.
2. Something that represents another possible option.

Example: going by train is always an alternative
Example: Going by train is always an alternative
Thesaurus: choice, option, recourse, possibility, substitute, backup.

Derivative: alternatively
adverb

Etymology: 16c: from Latin alternare to alternate.