alternating
ˈɔltərˌneɪtɪŋ
Definition Synonyms

Definition of alternating - Reverso English Dictionary

Adjective

1.
sequenceoccurring by turns or in succession
  • The traffic lights were alternating between red and green.
interchanging rotating
2.
math seriesTECH.having terms that switch between positive and negativeTECH.
  • The alternating series converges to a limit.
fluctuating oscillating
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Expressions with alternating

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style of writing with mixed capital and small letters for mockery
Alternating caps made the reply sound sarcastic.
electric current reversing direction periodically
The power supply uses alternating current for efficiency.
electric current that reverses direction periodically
The generator produces alternating electric current.
infinite series with terms alternating in sign
The alternating series converges to a specific value.
electrical potential that regularly changes direction or polarity with time
An alternating voltage is applied across the capacitor during the experiment.
physical field whose direction changes back and forth over time
The coil produces an alternating field that magnetizes the metal core.

Origin of alternating

Latin, alternare (to do by turns)

Terms with alternating included in their meaning

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alternating
each second one in a series
swimming
swim using alternating overarm strokes and flutter kick
alternation
alternating between two states or conditions
alternating days
happening one day, then not the next, then happening again
geography
landscape with alternating high and low points
life
alternating periods of good and bad fortune
zigzagadj.
pattern
having sharp alternating turns or angles
movement
move with sharp turns in alternating directions

Examples of alternating in a sentence

  • She wore an alternating sequence of pearls and beads.
  • The alternating pattern was evident in the sequence.
  • Students studied the alternating series in calculus class.

View all translations of alternating

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:alternant, périodique, ...
  2. German:abwechselnd, wechselnd, ...
  3. Italian:alternato, alternante, ...
  4. Spanish:alternante, oscilante, ...
  5. Portuguese:alternado, oscilante, ...
  6. Chinese:交替的, 变换的, ...
  7. Japanese:交互の, 交代の, ...
  8. Arabic:مُتَنَاوِب, ...
  9. Hebrew:מִתְחַלֵּף, ...
  10. Russian:чередующийся, ...
  11. Ukrainian:змінний, ...
  12. Hindi:बारी-बारी, वैकल्पिक, ...
alternate US
ˈɔltərˌneɪt

Definition of alternate - Reverso English Dictionary

Adjective

1.
patternUSevery second one in a seriesUS
  • We meet on alternate Mondays.
2.
repeated successionUSoccurring by turns repeatedlyUS
  • They took alternate sips from the same glass..
interchanging rotating
3.
optionsUSserving as a substitute or alternativeUS
  • He took the alternate route to avoid traffic.
alternative backup replacement
4.
plantTECH.USarranged singly at different heights on a stemTECH.US
  • The plant has alternate leaves.
intermittent sporadic

Verb

1.
take turnstr./intr.USdo or perform in turn repeatedlytr./intr.US
  • They alternate leading the meetings each week..
interchange rotate
2.
patterntr./intr.USvary by turns or in a regular patterntr./intr.US
  • The lights alternate in color every second.
interchange rotate

Noun

1.
substituteUSperson substituting for another in their absenceUS
  • She was the alternate for the lead role.
replacement substitute
2.
stand-inDatedUSreplacement of equal or greater value or functionDatedUS
  • The alternate was just as effective as the original.
replacement stand-in substitute
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Expressions with alternate

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every other day
She goes jogging on alternate days.
happening every other week, not every week
We meet on alternate weeks to discuss the project.
different way to travel between places instead of the usual road
We took an alternate route to avoid the heavy highway traffic.
genre of fiction exploring outcomes of historical events different from recorded history
The novel was an alternate history where Rome never fell.
backup person officially chosen to replace a regular member when needed
He was elected as an alternate member of the school board committee.
parallel world with different events or outcomes
In an alternate universe, dinosaurs never went extinct.

Origin of alternate

Latin, alternare (to do by turns)

Examples of alternate in a sentence

  • Plant the bulbs in alternate rows for a balanced display.
  • The lights flashed in alternate patterns.
  • They worked on alternate days to cover the shifts.
  • The alternate design was chosen for the project.
  • She wore alternate colors for the event.
  • The botanist noted the alternate pattern of the leaves.

View all translations of alternate

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:un sur deux, se relayer, ...
  2. German:jeder zweite, abwechseln, ...
  3. Italian:alterno, alternarsi, ...
  4. Spanish:alterno, turnarse, ...
  5. Portuguese:alternado, alternar, ...
  6. Chinese:隔周, 交替, ...
  7. Japanese:隔週の, 交代する, ...
  8. Arabic:مُتناوِب, تَنَاوَبَ, ...
  9. Hebrew:חֲלוּפִי, לְהִתְחַלֵּף, ...
  10. Russian:каждый второй, чередовать, ...
  11. Ukrainian:черговий, змінюватися, ...
  12. Hindi:एकांतर, बारी-बारी से करना, ...
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