First Known Use: 1513
Dictionary
1alternate
adjective al·ter·nate \US & Canada ˈȯl-tər-nət also ˈal-; chiefly British ȯl-ˈtər-\
: occurring in or forming a repeated series
—used to describe something that happens one time, does not happen the next time, happens again, etc.
: other than the usual
Full Definition of ALTERNATE
1
: occurring or succeeding by turns <a day of alternate sunshine and rain>
2
a : arranged first on one side and then on the other at different levels or points along an axial line <alternate leaves> — compare opposite b : arranged one above or alongside the other
3
: every other : every second <he works on alternate days>
4
: constituting an alternative <took the alternate route home>
See alternate defined for English-language learners
See alternate defined for kids
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Origin of ALTERNATE
Latin alternatus, past participle of alternare, from alternus alternate, from alter
2alternate
verb al·ter·nate \ˈȯl-tər-ˌnāt also ˈal-\
: to place or do (different things) so that one follows the other in a repeated series
al·ter·nat·edal·ter·nat·ing
Full Definition of ALTERNATE
transitive verb
1
: to perform by turns or in succession
2
: to cause to alternate
intransitive verb
: to change from one to another repeatedly <rain alternated with sun>
See alternate defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ALTERNATE
1599
3alternate
noun al·ter·nate \same as 1\
: someone who is chosen to take another person's place if that person is not able to be present or to do a required job
Full Definition of ALTERNATE
1
2
: one that substitutes for or alternates with another
See alternate defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ALTERNATE
1717
ALTERNATES Defined for Kids
1alternate
adjective al·ter·nate \ˈȯl-tər-nət\
Definition of ALTERNATE for Kids
1
: occurring or following by turns <alternate sunshine and rain>
2
: arranged one above, beside, or next to another <alternate layers of cake and filling>
3
: every other : every second <We meet on alternate days.>
— al·ter·nate·ly adverb
2alternate
verb al·ter·nate \ˈȯl-tər-ˌnāt\
al·ter·nat·edal·ter·nat·ing
Definition of ALTERNATE for Kids
: to take place or cause to take place by turns <She alternated between running and lifting weights.>
3alternate
noun al·ter·nate \ˈȯl-tər-nət\
Definition of ALTERNATE for Kids
: a person named to take the place of another whenever necessary <They were chosen as alternates to attend the convention.>
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