alternate

• 用于描述可作为替代或备选的事物；也用于描述非传统或非常规的事物。

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.

   交替的

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

   同义词alternating

2. Substitute or replacementB1formal

   Serving or used in place of another person or thing.

   备用的

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

   同义词backupfill-inproxyreliefreplacementreservestand-insubstitutesurrogateunderstudy

3. Occurring by turnsB2formal

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

   交替的

   • 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.

   同义词alternatingreciprocal

   反义词concurrentsimultaneous

4. Botanical arrangementC1formalscientific

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

   互生

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

   同义词alternating

• 名词，指代替另一个人位置的人，例如替补或代理人；也可指供替换的事物或备选项。

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.

   替代者

   • 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.

   同义词backupdeputyproxyreplacementstand-insubstitutesurrogateunderstudy

• 动词，表示两个或多个事物、状态或动作依次轮流出现或更替，也可指在多个选项之间来回切换。

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.

   轮流

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

   同义词interchangerotateswitchtake turns

2. Swap or replaceB2formal

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

   交替

   • 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.

   同义词exchangeinterchangereplacerotatesubstituteswapswitchtake turns

3. Change direction or stateB2formal

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

   交替

   • 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.

   同义词fluctuateoscillateseesawshiftswingvacillatevarywaver