Meaning of alternate in English

Table of contents

Verb
alternate
Etymology
early 16th century (earlier (late Middle English) as alternation): from Latin alternat-‘done by turns’, from alternare, from alternus‘every other’, from alter‘other’
Definitions
1. go back and forth
Examples
- « swing back and forth between two states or conditions »
Derived terms
- alternation
2. exchange people temporarily to fulfill certain jobs and functions
Derived terms
3. be an understudy or alternate for a role
Derived terms
4. reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
Derived terms
5. do something in turns
Examples
- « We take turns on the night shift »
Derived terms
- alternation
Classifying Adjective
alternate
Definitions
1. allowing a choice
Examples
- « an alternative plan »
Synonyms
- secondary
Noun
alternate
Definitions
1. someone who takes the place of another person
Derived terms
Qualitative Adjective
alternate
Definitions
1. of leaves and branches etc
Examples
- « first on one side and then on the other in two ranks along an axis »
- « not paired »
- « stems with alternate leaves »
Antonyms
- opposite
- paired

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