alternate
pronunciation
How to pronounce alternate in British English:
UK [ɔːlˈtɜːnət , ˈɔːltəneɪt , ˈɔːltɜːnət]
How to pronounce alternate in American English:
US [ˈɔːltərnət , ˈɔːltərneɪt]
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- Noun:
- someone who takes the place of another person
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- Verb:
- go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions
- exchange people temporarily to fulfill certain jobs and functions
- be an understudy or alternate for a role
- reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
- do something in turns
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- Adjective:
- every second one of a series
- allowing a choice
- occurring by turns; first one and then the other
- of leaves and branches etc; first on one side and then on the other in two ranks along an axis; not paired
Word Origin
- alternate (adj.)
- 1510s, from Latin alternatus "one after the other," past participle of alternare "to do first one thing then the other; exchange parts," from alternus "one after the other, alternate, in turns, reciprocal," from alter "the other" (see alter). Alternate means "by turns;" alternative means "offering a choice." Both imply two kinds or things.
- alternate (v.)
- 1590s, from Latin alternatus, past participle of alternare (see alternate (adj.)). Replaced Middle English alternen "to vary, alternate" (early 15c.). Related: Alternated; alternating.
- alternate (n.)
- 1718, "that which alternates (with anything else)," from alternate (adj.). Meaning "a substitute" is first attested 1848.
Example
- 1. The two types alternate , so that each channel has one wall of each type .
- 2. Vernacini , however , admitted that his regular trips to the alternate universe have taken their toll .
- 3. The second thing japan needs is for parties to alternate in power .
- 4. It said alternate aircraft would be used for international flights on thursday .
- 5. Alternate version 2 : " when did you realize this would be your career ? "