2al·ter·nate 
/ˈɑ:ltɚnət, Brit ˌɔ:lˈtə:nət/ adjective
/ˈɑ:ltɚnət, Brit ˌɔ:lˈtə:nət/ adjective 1 : occurring in or forming a repeated series
▪ alternate sunshine and rain ▪ Alternate shades of wood formed a pattern around the window. 2 — used to describe something that happens one time, does not happen the next time, happens again, etc. ▪ The fair is held on alternate years. [=the fair is held every other/second year; the fair is held one year, not held the next year, held the following year, and so on] ▪ She picks the children up from school on alternate days. [=(for example) she picks up the children on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday] 3 chiefly US : other than the usual : alternative
▪ We took an alternate route because of the traffic. ▪ Due to an emergency, the plane landed at an alternate airport.
▪ alternate sunshine and rain ▪ Alternate shades of wood formed a pattern around the window.
▪ We took an alternate route because of the traffic. ▪ Due to an emergency, the plane landed at an alternate airport.
— al·ter·nate·ly adverb
▪ The poem is alternately fearful and hopeful.
▪ The poem is alternately fearful and hopeful.
