al|ter´na|tive|ness

al|ter|na|tive «l TUR nuh tihv, al-», noun, adjective.

–n.

1. a choice between two things: »

Her father gave her the alternative of staying in high school or going to work.

SYNONYM(S): See syn. under choice. (Cf. ↑choice)

2. a choice from among more than two things: »

If you don't want steak for dinner, there are several alternatives.

SYNONYM(S): selection. See syn. under choice. (Cf. ↑choice)

3. one of the things to be chosen: »

She chose the first alternative and stayed in school. My decided preference is for the fourth and last of these alternatives (William E. Gladstone).

–adj.

1. giving or requiring a choice between only two things: »

We discussed the alternative plans of having a picnic or taking a trip on a boat.

2. giving a choice from among more than two things: »

There are several alternative routes from Chicago to New York.

–al|ter´na|tive|ness, noun.

Usage Alternative comes from the Latin word alter, meaning “other” or “the second of two.” Some formal writers, mindful of origin, confine its meaning to one of two possibilits, but it is commonly used to mean one of several possibilities.