Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 N‑COUNT An alteration is a change in or to something. □ [+ to/in ] Making some simple alterations to your diet will make you feel fitter. [Also + of ]

2 N‑UNCOUNT The alteration of something is the process of changing it. □  Her jacket was at the boutique waiting for alteration.

al|ter|ca|tion /ɔː ltə ^r ke I ʃ ^ə n/ (altercations ) N‑COUNT An altercation is a noisy argument or disagreement. [FORMAL ] □ [+ with ] I had a slight altercation with some people who objected to our filming. [Also + between ]

a l|ter e go (alter egos )

1 N‑COUNT Your alter ego is the other side of your personality from the one which people normally see.

2 N‑COUNT You can describe the character that an actor usually plays on television or in films as his or her alter ego . □  If the actress were friends with her alter ego in real life, she knows exactly what advice she'd give.

al|ter|nate (alternates , alternating , alternated ) The verb is pronounced /ɔː ltə ^r ne I t/. The adjective and noun are pronounced /ɔːltɜː ^r nət/. 1 VERB When you alternate two things, you keep using one then the other. When one thing alternates with another, the first regularly occurs after the other. □ [V + with ] Her aggressive moods alternated with gentle or more co-operative states. □ [V ] The three acts will alternate as headliners throughout the tour. □ [V n] Now you just alternate layers of that mixture and eggplant. □ [V n + with ] The band alternated romantic love songs with bouncy dance numbers. [Also + between ] ●  al|ter|na|tion /ɔː ltə ^r ne I ʃ ^ə n/ (alternations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] The alternation of sun and snow continued for the rest of our holiday.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Alternate actions, events, or processes regularly occur after each other. □  They were streaked with alternate bands of colour. ●  al|ter|nate|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □  He could alternately bully and charm people.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] If something happens on alternate days, it happens on one day, then happens on every second day after that. In the same way, something can happen in alternate weeks, years, or other periods of time. □  Lesley had agreed to Jim going skiing in alternate years.

4 ADJ [ADJ n] You use alternate to describe a plan, idea, or system which is different from the one already in operation and can be used instead of it. □  His group was forced to turn back and take an alternate route.

5 N‑COUNT An alternate is a person or thing that replaces another, and can act or be used instead of them. [AM ] □  In most jurisdictions, twelve jurors and two alternates are chosen.

6 ADJ [ADJ n] Alternate is sometimes used, especially in American English, instead of alternative in meanings 2, 3, 4, and 5. □  …an alternate lifestyle.

a l|ter|nat|ing cu r|rent (alternating currents ) N‑VAR An alternating current is an electric current that continually changes direction as it flows. The abbreviation AC is also used.

al|ter|na|tive ◆◆◇ /ɔːltɜː ^r nət I v/ (alternatives ) The form alternate is sometimes used, especially in American English, instead of alternative in meanings 2 , 3 , 4 , and 5 . 1 N‑COUNT If one thing is an alternative to another, the first can be found, used, or done instead of the second. □ [+ to ] New ways to treat arthritis may provide an alternative to painkillers.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] An alternative plan or offer is different from the one that you already have, and can be done or used instead. □  There were alternative methods of travel available.