alternative

Alternative is a term used as both adjective and noun to indicate something that can replace or stand in for something else. It denotes one or more other possibilities or options. The word comes from the Latin alternatus, from alter, “the other (one),” and entered English in the late Middle Ages. In common usage, an alternative is an option that a person may choose instead of another.

In decision-making and policy, alternatives are considered to compare outcomes, costs, and risks. The phrase “the alternative to X” signals a different course of action; in voting and negotiation, presenting a set of alternatives is a standard method for deliberation and planning.

With specialized senses, the term attaches to fields such as medicine and energy. Alternative medicine refers to health practices outside conventional Western medicine, including acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal remedies; the evidence base and regulatory status vary by practice and jurisdiction. Alternative energy describes non-fossil fuel sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power, which are pursued to diversify energy portfolios and reduce environmental impact.

Alternative culture and media is used to describe movements or works that diverge from the mainstream, such as alternative music and cinema; the label has evolved over time and is closely tied to issues of independence, innovation, and nonconformity.