ETYM Cf. French alternatif.
1. Necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities; SYN. mutually exclusive.
2. Pertaining to unconventional choices.

Množina: alternatives

ETYM Cf. French alternative, Late Lat. alternativa.
1. An offer of two things, one of which may be chosen, but not both; a choice between two things, so that if one is taken, the other must be left.
2. Either of two things or propositions offered to one's choice; thus when two things offer a choice of one only, the two things are called alternatives.
3. The course of action or the thing offered in place of another.
4. A choice between more than two things; one of several things offered to choose among.

Singular of alternative energy sources is alternative energy source.

Množina: alternative forms

Množina: alternative life styles

Množina: alternative medicines

Forms of medical treatment that do not use synthetic drugs or surgery in response to the symptoms of a disease, but aim to treat the patient as a whole (holism). The emphasis is on maintaining health (with diet and exercise) and on dealing with the underlying causes rather than just the symptoms of illness. It may involve the use of herbal remedies and techniques like acupuncture, homeopathy, and chiropractic. Some alternative treatments are increasingly accepted by orthodox medicine, but the absence of enforceable standards in some fields has led to the proliferation of eccentric or untrained practitioners.
The practice of medicine without the use of drugs; may involve self-awareness; SYN. complementary medicine.
See medicine, alternative.

Množina: alternative services

In lieu of military service.

Množina: alternative theaters

Theater which, since the 1960s, has functioned outside the commercial mainstream, usually in an experimental style and in untraditional venues. In New York this is synonymous with off-off-Broadway, in London with fringe and alternative comedy.
See theater, alternative.

In place of, or as an alternative to; SYN. as an alternative, instead, or else.

Množina: alternativenesses

Possibility; substitutive