See examples of alternate used in a sentence. The meaning of alternate is occurring or succeeding by turns. How to use alternate in a sentence.
The adjective alternate and the adverb alternately mean ‘first one thing, then another thing and then the first thing again’. To alternate jogging and walking. To alternate hot and cold compresses.
If something happens on alternate days, it happens on one day, then does not happen on the next day, then happens again on the day after it, and so on. Things can also happen in alternate weeks,. There are 16 meanings listed in oed's entry for the word alternate, one of which is labelled obsolete.
Alternate usually refers to occurring or succeeding by turns, or one that substitutes for or alternates with another. Dec 14, 2025noun alternate (plural alternates) that which alternates with something else; Jan 23, 2025“alternate” and “alternative” are interchangeable if used to describe “a different option” (e.g., “an alternate/alternative plan”).
An alternate is a person or thing that replaces another, and can act or be used instead of them.