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Alternative vs Supplement - What's the difference?

alternative | supplement |

As nouns the difference between alternative and supplement

is that alternative is a situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities; a choice between two or more possibilities while supplement is something added, especially to make up for a deficiency.

As an adjective alternative

is relating to a choice between two or more possibilities.

As a verb supplement is

to provide or make a supplement to something.

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

    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

    * * ----

    supplement

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something added, especially to make up for a deficiency.
  • *{{quote-magazine, date=2013-03, author=David S. Senchina, volume=101, issue=2, page=134
  • , magazine= , title= Athletics and Herbal Supplements , passage=Athletes' use of herbal supplements has skyrocketed in the past two decades. At the top of the list of popular herbs are echinacea and ginseng, whereas garlic, St. John's wort, soybean, ephedra and others are also surging in popularity or have been historically prevalent.}}
  • An extension to a document or publication that adds information, corrects errors or brings up to date.
  • An additional section of a newspaper devoted to a specific subject.
  • *
  • *:"Mid-Lent, and the Enemy grins," remarked Selwyn as he started for church with Nina and the children. Austin, knee-deep in a dozen Sunday supplements , refused to stir; poor little Eileen was now convalescent from grippe, but still unsteady on her legs; her maid had taken the grippe, and now moaned all day: "Mon dieu! Mon dieu! Che fais mourir! "
  • (lb) An angle that, when added to a given angle, makes 180°; a supplementary angle.
  • A vitamin, herbal extract or chemical compound ingested to meet dietary deficiencies or enhance muscular development.
  • Verb

  • To provide or make a supplement to something.
  • Synonyms

    * eke out