ALTERNATIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does alternative mean? 

• ALTERNATIVE (noun)
  The noun ALTERNATIVE has 1 sense:

1. one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen

  Familiarity information: ALTERNATIVE used as a noun is very rare.

• ALTERNATIVE (adjective)
  The adjective ALTERNATIVE has 3 senses:

1. serving or used in place of another

2. necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities

3. pertaining to unconventional choices

  Familiarity information: ALTERNATIVE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ALTERNATIVE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

One of a number of things from which only one can be chosen

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

alternative; choice; option

Context example:

my only choice is to refuse

Hypernyms ("alternative" is a kind of...):

deciding; decision making (the cognitive process of reaching a decision)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "alternative"):

obverse (the more conspicuous of two alternatives or cases or sides)

druthers; preference (the right or chance to choose)

default; default option (an option that is selected automatically unless an alternative is specified)

opening; possibility; possible action (a possible alternative)

impossibility; impossible action (an alternative that is not available)

Hobson's choice (the choice of taking what is offered or nothing at all)

soft option (an easier alternative)

Derivation:

alternative (necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities)

• ALTERNATIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Serving or used in place of another

Synonyms:

alternate; alternative; substitute

Context example:

an alternative plan

Similar:

secondary (being of second rank or importance or value; not direct or immediate)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities

Context example:

alternative possibilities were neutrality or war

Similar:

disjunctive (serving or tending to divide or separate)

Derivation:

alternative (one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Pertaining to unconventional choices

Context example:

an alternative life style

Similar:

unconventional (not conventional or conformist)

 Context examples 

Alternative medicine may include special diets, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, and magnet therapy.

(Alternative medicine, NCI Dictionary)

A 61 kD homodimeric alternative ANG2(443) product lacks 53 amino acids found in ANG2 encoded by exon B and part of the N-terminal coiled-coil domain.

(Angiopoietin-2, NCI Thesaurus)

This category involves complete systems of theory and practice that are alternatives to the Western biomedical approach.

(Alternative Medical System, NCI Thesaurus)

Alternative medicine includes treatments and practices such as acupuncture, holistic medicine, homeopathy, ayurveda, Chinese medicine, massage therapy, herbal therapy, and biofeedback.

(Alternative Medical Procedure, NCI Thesaurus)

Alternative use of PP32, PP32R1, and PP32R2 may modulate the oncogenic potential of human prostate cancer.

(ANP32C Protein, NCI Thesaurus)

A complimentary/alternative cancer therapy that uses antineoplastons to protect the body from disease.

(Antineoplastons Therapy, NCI Thesaurus)

Two isoforms (long and short) may be produced by alternative splicing.

(BRAHMA, NCI Thesaurus)

It may include hot or cold packs, exercise, medicines, injections, complementary and alternative treatments, and sometimes surgery.

(Back Pain, NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

A type of complementary and alternative medicine that uses plant oils that give off strong pleasant aromas (smells) to promote relaxation, a sense of well-being, and healing.

(Aromatherapy, NCI Dictionary)

AVPR2 expression has also been described in fetal lung tissue and lung cancer associated with alternative splicing.

(Arginine Vasopressin Receptor 2, NCI Thesaurus/LocusLink)