How to pronounce alternative
Say it like awl-TUR-nuh-tiv. Alternative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce alternative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- awl
- TUR
- nuh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Alternative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- awlKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- TURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of alternative
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: awl-TUR-nuh-tiv.
What does alternative mean?
- serving or used in place of another“an alternative plan”
- necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities“alternative possibilities were neutrality or war”
- pertaining to unconventional choices“an alternative life style”
- one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen“what option did I have?”“there is no other alternative”
Where does alternative come from?
From Middle French alternatif, from Medieval Latin alternātīvus (“alternating”), from the participle stem of Latin alternō (“interchange, alternate”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying alternative
How do you pronounce alternative?
Say awl-TUR-nuh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ɔlˈtɝnətɪv/. In British English it is /ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in alternative?
Alternative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TUR). Broken into parts: awl · TUR · nuh · tiv.
Is alternative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/ (awl-TUR-nuh-tiv).