alternate

Pronunciation

adjective, noun

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈɒlˌtɜː(r).nət/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈɔl.tɚ.nət/ or /ˈɑl.tɚ.nət/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

verb

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈɒl.tə(r)ˌneɪt/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈɔl.tɚ.neɪt/ or /ˈɑl.tɚ.neɪt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form alternate

Third-person singular alternates

Past tense alternated

Past participle alternated

Present participle alternating

1. To alternate is change between two positions.

   She would alternate between laughing and crying without warning.

2. To alternate is to take turns.

   My wife and I would alternate doing the dishes.

3. To alternate, something changes regularly and repeatedly.

   The traffic lights would alternate from red to green.

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