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Alternative vs Akin - What's the difference?

alternative | akin |

As adjectives the difference between alternative and akin

is that alternative is relating to a choice between two or more possibilities while akin is of the same kin; related by blood.

As a noun alternative

is a situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities; a choice between two or more possibilities.

alternative

English

(wikipedia alternative)

Adjective

(-)
  • Relating to a choice between two or more possibilities
    • an alternative proposition
  • Not traditional, outside the mainstream, underground (e.g., alternative medicine, alternative lifestyle, (alternative rock)).
  • Other.
  • alternate; reciprocal
    • (Holland)

    Derived terms

    * alternative dispute resolution * alternative energy * alternative lifestyle * alternative medicine * alternative press * alternative vote

    Related terms

    * alternate * alternativeness * alternativism

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities; a choice between two or more possibilities.
  • * 1817 , (Walter Scott), Rob Roy , XI:
    • ‘The cloister or a betrothed husband?’ I echoed—‘Is that the alternative destined for Miss Vernon?’
  • One of several mutually exclusive things which can be chosen.
  • The remaining option; something available after other possibilities have been exhausted.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    See also

    *

    References

    * * ----

    akin

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (of persons) Of the same kin; related by blood.
  • * 1722 , , Moll Flanders , ch. 23:
    • We are too near akin to lie together, though we may lodge near one another.
  • (often, followed by to) Allied by nature; similar; partaking of the same properties; of the same kind.
  • * 1677 , , The Court of the Gentiles , T. Cockeril, part 4, bk. 1, ch. 2, p. 27:
    • Is not then Fruition near akin to Love?
  • * 1710 , anon., "To the Spectator, &c.," The Spectator , vol. 1, no. 8 (March 9), p. 39:
    • She told me that she hoped my Face was not akin to my Tongue.
  • * 1814 , , Mansfield Park , ch. 44:
    • Such sensations, however, were too near akin to resentment to be long guiding Fanny's soliloquies.
  • * 1837 , , The Pickwick Papers , ch. 39:
    • Mr. Winkle . . . took his hand with a feeling of regard, akin to veneration.
  • * 1910 , , "Old Well-Well," Success (July):
    • Something akin to a smile shone on his face.

    Usage notes

    * This adjective is always placed after the noun that it modifies.

    Anagrams

    * * * ----