Meaning

Happening by turns; one following the other in succession of time or place; first one and then the other (repeatedly)..

Definitions by Sense

1. Happening by turns; one following the other in succession of time or place; first one and then the other (repeatedly).
2. (mathematics) Designating the members in a series, which regularly intervene between the members of another series, as the odd or even numbers of the numerals; every other; every second.
3. (US) Other; alternative.
4. (botany, of leaves) Distributed singly at different heights of the stem, and at equal intervals as respects angular divergence
5. That which alternates with something else; vicissitude.
6. (US) A substitute; an alternative; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty.
7. (mathematics) A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means.
8. (US) A replacement of equal or greater value or function.

Example Sentences

And bid alternate passions fall and rise

One of the two boxes displaced by the new Pelaw installation will be Springwell, between Boldon Colliery and Pelaw, which has recently had the distinction of being manned by a husband and wife on alternate shifts.

The service is half-hourly as far as Harrogate and Knaresborough, with alternate trains going on to York.

the alternate members 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.

Hyperlinked text is displayed in alternate color in a Web browser.

He lives in an alternate universe and an alternate reality.

Many trees have alternate leaf arrangement (e.g. birch, oak and mulberry).

Grateful alternates of substantial peace.

Word Forms

• alternates
• alternating
• alternated

Synonyms for alternate

Antonyms for alternate

Related Words

When Should You Use Alternate?

Use alternate when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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