alternate

• Utilisé en anglais américain pour décrire quelque chose qui sert de remplacement ou d'alternative ; également utilisé pour décrire quelque chose de différent de l'ordinaire ou du traditionnel.

Used in American English to describe something that serves as a substitute or replacement; also used to describe something that is different from the usual or conventional.

1. Every other oneB1formal

   Referring to every second one in a series; occurring in turns.

   un sur deux

   • We meet on alternate Tuesdays.
   • The pattern has alternate red and blue stripes.
   • She works alternate weekends.

   Synonymesalternating

2. Substitute or replacementB1formal

   Serving or used in place of another person or thing.

   de remplacement

   • He was chosen as an alternate delegate.
   • We need an alternate route due to the road closure.
   • The alternate plan was put into action.

   Synonymesbackupfill-inproxyreliefreplacementreservestand-insubstitutesurrogateunderstudy

3. Occurring by turnsB2formal

   First one and then the other; happening in a back-and-forth sequence.

   alterné

   • The two teams had alternate possession of the ball.
   • Alternate layers of soil and gravel were used.
   • The machine has alternate cycles of heating and cooling.

   Synonymesalternatingreciprocal

   Antonymesconcurrentsimultaneous

4. Botanical arrangementC1formalscientific

   Of leaves and branches, arranged first on one side and then on the other along an axis; not paired.

   Disposition alterne

   • The plant has alternate leaves along the stem.
   • Alternate branching is common in many tree species.
   • Botanists classify the leaf arrangement as alternate.

   Synonymesalternating

• Nom désignant une personne qui remplace une autre, par exemple un suppléant ou un remplaçant.

A noun referring to a person who takes the place of another, such as a substitute or replacement.

1. Substitute or replacementB2formal

   A person who takes the place of another person, especially in a role or job.

   remplaçant

   • She served as an alternate for the team captain.
   • The alternate stepped in when the lead actor fell ill.
   • He was chosen as an alternate delegate for the conference.

   Synonymesbackupdeputyproxyreplacementstand-insubstitutesurrogateunderstudy

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de faire succéder tour à tour, de changer de manière répétée entre deux ou plusieurs états, actions ou objets, ou de se succéder de façon alternative.

A verb used to indicate the act of taking turns or occurring in successive turns, or to switch repeatedly between two or more states, actions, or things.

1. Take turnsB2formal

   To occur or cause to occur in turns; to follow one after another repeatedly.

   Se succéder à tour de rôle

   • The two teams alternated possession of the ball.
   • We alternated driving during the long road trip.
   • The seasons alternate between summer and winter.

   Synonymesinterchangerotateswitchtake turns

2. Swap or replaceB2formal

   To exchange one thing for another in a recurring pattern; to take the place of another person temporarily.

   alterner / remplacer

   • She alternated as the lead singer when the main vocalist was sick.
   • The workers alternated shifts to cover the 24-hour operation.
   • He alternated with his colleague to attend the conference.

   Synonymesexchangeinterchangereplacerotatesubstituteswapswitchtake turns

3. Change direction or stateB2formal

   To reverse or change direction, attitude, or course of action repeatedly.

   changer d'état ou de direction

   • The wind alternated between blowing from the north and the south.
   • His mood alternated between excitement and anxiety.
   • The policy alternated between strict enforcement and leniency.

   Synonymesfluctuateoscillateseesawshiftswingvacillatevarywaver