In natural language and in cognitive decision-making, alternative is one of several things/(abstract or real objects)/actions which can be chosen. From a specific perspective/(point of view)/goal, alternatives are always equivalent.

In logic and mathematics, alternative is the element of logical disjunction.

In different contexts alternative (or Alternativism) may refer to :

• Alternative rock, a style of rock music
  • Alternative dance and Alternative metal, subgenres of alternative rock
  • Alternative hip-hop
  • Alternative country
• Alternative algebra, an abstract algebra with alternative multiplication
• Alternative comics, one of several labels applied to a range of comic strips and books
• Alternative comedy, a range of styles used by comedians and writers in the 1980s
• Alternative culture, a variety of subcultures outside or on the fringes of so-called accepted mainstream culture
• Alternative dispute resolution, processes and techniques outside the traditional mainstream of jurisprudence
• Alternative lifestyle, a lifestyle that it is not within the generally perceived cultural norm
• Alternative media, media practices falling outside the mainstreams of corporate communication
• Alternative medicine, methods and practices used in place of, or in addition to, conventional medical treatments
• Alternative society, alternative models for society and social change
• Alternative education, alternatives to traditional education
• Alternative school, a school for "at-risk" and special education

Alternative | Alternatywa | Альтернатива