WordWeb Online

1. One of a number of things from which only one can be chosen
   "there is no other alternative";
   - option, choice

1. Serving or used in place of another
   "an alternative plan";
   - alternate, substitute
    
2. Necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities
   "alternative possibilities were neutrality or war"
    
3. Pertaining to unconventional choices
   "an alternative life style"

Derived forms: alternatives

See also: disjunctive, secondary, unconventional

Type of: deciding, decision making

Encyclopedia: Alternative