alternate
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
alternates;
alternated;
alternating
alternates;
alternated;
alternating
Britannica Dictionary definition of ALTERNATE
:
to place or do (different things) so that one follows the other in a repeated series
— often + with
— often + with
— often + between
[+ object]
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To make the appetizer, you should alternate layers of tomatoes and cheese. [=you should place a layer of tomatoes, then a layer of cheese, then a layer of tomatoes, etc.]
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The poem/poet alternates fear and hope.
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The necklace is made by alternating glass beads with shells.
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The poem/poet alternates fear and hope with each other. = The poem/poet alternates fear with hope.
[no object]
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The light and dark woods alternate to form an elegant pattern around the window.
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Light woods alternate with dark woods.
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The poem alternates between fear and hope.
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He alternates between riding his bike and taking the bus to work.
— alternating
adjective-
To make the appetizer, you should use alternating layers of tomatoes and cheese.
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The shirt has alternating red and yellow stripes.
Britannica Dictionary definition of ALTERNATE
1
:
occurring in or forming a repeated series
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alternate sunshine and rain
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Alternate shades of wood formed a pattern around the window.
2
— used to describe something that happens one time, does not happen the next time, happens again, etc.
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The fair is held on alternate years. [=the fair is held every other/second year; the fair is held one year, not held the next year, held the following year, and so on]
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She picks the children up from school on alternate days. [=(for example) she picks up the children on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday]
3
chiefly US
:
other than the usual
:
alternative
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We took an alternate route because of the traffic.
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Due to an emergency, the plane landed at an alternate airport.
— alternately
adverb-
The poem is alternately fearful and hopeful.
plural
alternates
plural
alternates
Britannica Dictionary definition of ALTERNATE
[count]
US
:
someone who is chosen to take another person's place if that person is not able to be present or to do a required job
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The town has elected five councilors and two alternates.
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an alternate juror
