Meaning of alternate in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈɔltərˌneɪt/

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  1. 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 »
  2. 2. exchange people temporarily to fulfill certain jobs and functions
  3. 3. be an understudy or alternate for a role
  4. 4. reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
  5. 5. do something in turns

    Examples

    • « We take turns on the night shift »

  6. Classifying Adjective

    alternate

    Definitions

    1. allowing a choice

    Examples

    • « an alternative plan »

    Synonyms

  7. Noun

    alternate

    Definitions

    1. someone who takes the place of another person

  8. 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