alternate
gb/ˈɔltɚnɪt/ us/ˈɔltɚnɪt/
B1
English
~ 5200
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
to switch between two things
To change from one thing to another again and again, usually in a regular way.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] alternates between [A] and [B]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"I alternate to watching TV"* instead of *"I alternate between reading and watching TV"*. Use "alternate between A and B" or "alternate A and B", not "alternate to".
Synonyms
switch (More informal and general; not always about a repeated, regular pattern.)
|
rotate (Often used for people taking turns or things changing in a fixed order.)
Antonyms
continue (Suggests staying with the same thing without changing back and forth.)
|
remain (Emphasizes not changing from the current state.)
Collocations
alternate between
|alternate with
|alternate A and B
|alternate rapidly
|alternate regularly
Themes
daily life
|time
|habits
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- During the workout, we alternate between running and walking every five minutes.
- The weather alternated between sunshine and heavy rain all afternoon.
- You should alternate study periods with short breaks to stay focused.
- The teacher alternated group work and individual tasks throughout the lesson.
- They alternate the night shifts so no one works late every day.
Learner examples
- I alternate between tea and coffee in the morning.
- The lights alternate between red and blue.
- We alternate work and rest every hour.
- She alternates between feeling happy and feeling sad.
- The two players alternate serving the ball.
adjective
B1
property
2
every second in a sequence
Happening every other time or place, with one different thing between each.
Usage pattern:
on alternate [days/weeks/rows/etc.]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "alternate" with "alternative". "Alternate days" means days that come every second day (e.g., Monday, Wednesday, Friday), not "different" or "additional" days. Also, it is natural to say "on alternate days", not *"in alternate days"*.
Synonyms
every other (Very common in everyday speech; almost the same meaning but used mainly for time periods, not physical positions.)
Antonyms
consecutive (Means happening one after another without a break, the opposite of having a gap between occurrences.)
Collocations
on alternate days
|on alternate weekends
|alternate rows
|alternate stripes
|alternate weeks
|alternate layers
Themes
time
|schedules
|patterns
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I go to the gym on alternate days so my muscles can rest.
- We visit my parents on alternate weekends.
- Plant the flowers in alternate rows of red and white.
- He works alternate night shifts and day shifts.
- The cake had alternate layers of chocolate and vanilla.
Learner examples
- I wash my hair on alternate days.
- They meet on alternate Saturdays.
- The wall has alternate black and white lines.
- She works alternate mornings and evenings.
- We sit in alternate seats to have more space.
adjective
B2
property
3
providing another possible option
Giving a different choice or plan when the first one is not possible or not wanted.
Usage pattern:
an alternate [plan/route/version/etc.]
Common mistake:
Learners often mix up "alternate" (different option) and "alternative". In modern English, "alternative" is usually preferred, especially in British English. In American English, "alternate" is more common in this sense but can still sound slightly formal or technical in some contexts.
Synonyms
alternative (Very close in meaning; "alternative" is more common in modern English, especially in formal writing.)
Antonyms
primary (Refers to the main or first choice, as opposed to a different or backup option.)
|
standard (Describes the usual or normal option, not a different one.)
Collocations
alternate plan
|alternate route
|alternate solution
|alternate version
|alternate ending
|alternate scenario
Themes
planning
|travel
|problem solving
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We need an alternate plan in case it rains during the event.
- The driver took an alternate route to avoid the traffic jam.
- The director filmed an alternate ending for the movie.
- Please suggest three alternate dates for the interview.
- They are exploring alternate energy sources to reduce pollution.
Learner examples
- We must have an alternate plan if this one fails.
- I know an alternate way to get to the airport.
- The boss asked for an alternate solution to the problem.
- The game has an alternate version with new rules.
- She offered an alternate date for the meeting.
Noun
C1
entity
4
substitute person or replacement
A person or thing that is ready to do the job of another person or thing if that one cannot do it.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an alternate for [role/event]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "alternate" as a noun where "alternative" is needed, for example *"This is a good alternate"* when they mean *"This is a good alternative"*. As a noun meaning a person in a role, "alternate" is most common in American English.
Synonyms
substitute (Very common; can be used more widely for people and things, and in both formal and informal contexts.)
|
backup (Informal; often used when someone is kept in reserve in case of problems.)
Antonyms
regular (Refers to the main or usual member, in contrast to a substitute or alternate.)
|
primary (Emphasizes that someone is the main choice, not a replacement.)
Collocations
an alternate on the team
|serve as an alternate
|designated alternate
|alternate member
|alternate juror
|first alternate
Themes
work
|sports
|organizations
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was selected as an alternate on the Olympic team.
- If any juror becomes ill, an alternate will take their place.
- He served as an alternate member of the committee for two years.
- We need to name an alternate in case the main speaker is unavailable.
- As first alternate, you will play if any starting player is injured.
Learner examples
- He is an alternate on the basketball team.
- We chose her as an alternate in case John cannot come.
- The judge called an alternate when a juror got sick.
- I will go as an alternate if they need me.
- Each group must choose an alternate member.
unknown
technical
B2
relation
5
geometry: alternate angles
In math, used for two angles on different sides of a line that cuts across two other lines, either inside or outside the two lines.
Usage pattern:
alternate [interior/exterior] angles
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "alternate angles" with "adjacent angles" because they focus only on the size, not the position. "Alternate" here refers to their positions on opposite sides of the transversal.
Synonyms
opposite (angles) (A loose description used in explanations, but not a precise technical synonym in geometry.)
Antonyms
adjacent (angles) (Describes angles that share a common side and vertex, the opposite of being separated on different sides of the transversal.)
Collocations
alternate interior angles
|alternate exterior angles
|corresponding and alternate angles
|properties of alternate angles
|pairs of alternate angles
Themes
science
|education
|mathematics
Examples
- When the two lines are parallel, alternate interior angles are equal.
- The teacher asked the class to mark all the alternate exterior angles in the diagram.
- Understanding alternate angles helps students prove that two lines are parallel.
- In this figure, angle A and angle B are alternate interior angles.
- The properties of alternate angles are often used in geometry proofs.
Learner examples
- In this picture, these two are alternate interior angles.
- We learned that alternate angles are equal when lines are parallel.
- Please draw all the alternate exterior angles on the line.
- The test has a question about alternate angles.
- Our teacher showed us how to find alternate angles.
Grammar
Dictionary form
alternate
IPA
GB/ˈɔltɚnɪt/
US/ˈɔltɚnɪt/
Syllables & stress
al - tern - ate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (al)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: alternate
Noun
- Base: alternate
- Plural: alternates
Verb
- Base: alternate
- 3rd Person Singular: alternates
- Present Participle: alternating
- Past: alternated
Word family
Forms
alternates
noun
alternating
verb
alternated
verb
Core family
alternative
noun B1
alternatively
adverb B2
Related words
alternately
adverb
alternation
noun
Expressions
alternate between
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt bɪtwˈin/
fixed phrase
regularly switch between two things
To change from one thing to another and back again in a regular way.
Examples
- I alternate between reading and listening to music while I commute.
- The app lets you alternate between dark mode and light mode automatically.
- During the interview, he alternated between confidence and clear nervousness.
alternate plan
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt plˈæn/
fixed phrase
backup or second plan
A second plan you can use if your first plan fails.
Examples
- We need an alternate plan in case the venue is not available.
- Our alternate plan is to hold the meeting online.
alternate reality
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt ɹiˈæləti/
fixed phrase
different possible world
A different world that is imagined or possible, not the real world we live in.
Examples
- The movie is set in an alternate reality where history took a different path.
- Science fiction often explores alternate realities and timelines.
alternate route
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt ɹˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
different way to travel
A different way to go to a place if the normal way is not good.
Examples
- The GPS suggested an alternate route to avoid the crash on the highway.
- We took an alternate route because the main road was flooded.
alternate universe
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt jˈunəvˌɚs/
fixed phrase
parallel or different universe
A different universe that exists at the same time as ours in stories or theories.
Examples
- In this comic, the hero meets another version of himself from an alternate universe.
- Some stories imagine alternate universes where one small choice changed everything.
alternate with
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
happen in turn with something
To happen one after another with another thing, like a pattern.
Examples
- Periods of heavy rain alternated with bright sunshine all day.
- Online classes alternate with in-person sessions this semester.
- Short videos alternate with text explanations in the course.
on alternate days
1/ˈɔn ˈɔltɚnɪt dˈeɪz/
fixed phrase
every other day
Happening every other day, with one day on and one day off.
Examples
- I take this medicine on alternate days.
- They water the garden on alternate days to save water.
on alternate weekends
1/ˈɔn ˈɔltɚnɪt wˈikˌɛndz/
fixed phrase
every other weekend
Happening every other weekend, not every weekend.
Examples
- The children stay with their father on alternate weekends.
- We go hiking on alternate weekends when the weather is good.