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Traditional vs Alternative - What's the difference?

traditional | alternative |

As adjectives the difference between traditional and alternative

is that traditional is of or pertaining to tradition; derived from tradition; communicated from ancestors to descendants by word only; transmitted from age to age without writing; as, traditional opinions; traditional customs; traditional expositions of the Scriptures while alternative is relating to a choice between two or more possibilities.

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.

traditional

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to tradition; derived from tradition; communicated from ancestors to descendants by word only; transmitted from age to age without writing; as, traditional opinions; traditional customs; traditional expositions of the Scriptures.
  • I think her traditional values are antiquated .
  • Observant of tradition; attached to old customs; old-fashioned.
  • In lieu of the name of the composer of a piece of music, whose real name is lost in the mists of time.
  • Antonyms

    * nontraditional, non-traditional * untraditional

    Derived terms

    * traditionally

    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

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