Oxford Basic American Dictionary

( al ter . nates , al . ter . nat . ing , al . ter . nat . ed )

If two things alternate , first one thing happens and then the other, and then the first thing happens again, etc. She seemed to alternate between loving him and hating him.

al • ter • na • tive 1 AWB / э1 ' tarnstw /

adjective

that you can use, do, etc. instead of something else We need to develop alternative sources of energy.

different from the usual style, customs, beliefs, etc. alternative medicine

al • ter • na • tive 2 AWB / э1 ' tэrnэtIv / noun

[ count ]

a thing that you can choose instead of another thing We could go by train — the alternative is to take the car.

al • ter • na • tive • ly AWB / э1 ' ternstvi /

adverb

used to talk about a second possible thing you can do We can go by bus. Alternatively, I could take the car.

al .though Ф

/ э1 ' 6ou / conjunction

Pronunciation

The word although ends with the same sound as go .

despite something

Although she was sick, she went to work.

but

I love dogs, although I wouldn't have one as a pet. -SYNONYM though

al • ti • tude

/ ' ®^tud / noun [ count, noncount ] ( geography ) the height of something above the level of the ocean

The plane climbed to an altitude of 30,000 feet.

al • to • geth

• er / ,экэ ' geбэr / adverb

completely

At the age of 65, he stopped working altogether.

counting everything or everyone There were ten of us altogether.

a • lu • mi • num / a'lumanam / noun

[noncount] ( symbol Al )

( chemistry ) a light metal that has a silver color aluminum foil (= for example, for wrapping food )

a I .ways Ф / 'olweiz / adverb

at all times; every time I've always lived in Texas. The train is always late.

all through the past until now I've always wanted a dog.

forever

I will always remember that day.

again and again

My sister is always borrowing my clothes! Grammar

Always usually goes before the main verb or after "is," "are," "were," etc.: He always wears those shoes. ♦ Jill is always late.

Always can go at the beginning of a sentence when you are telling someone to do something: Always stop and look before you cross the road.

am / am ; rem / form of be

a.m. / ,ei em / abbreviation

You use a.m. after a time to show that it is between midnight and 12 o'clock in the day

I always start work at 9 a.m. (= 9 o'clock in the morning ) —Look at p.m. .

am • a • teur / rematjar / noun [ count ]

( sports ) a person who does a sport or an activity because

they enjoy it, but not for money as a job

Only amateurs can take part in the tournament.

—ANTONYM professional

am • a • teur adjective

an amateur photographer

a • maze / a'meiz / verb ( a . maz . es, a maz . ing, a . mazed )

to surprise someone very much, or to be difficult for someone to believe

It amazes me that anyone could be so stupid!

a • mazed / a'meizd / adjective

very surprised

She was amazed to discover the truth about her father. I was amazed at her knowledge of baseball.

a • maze • ment / a'meizmant / [noncount] great surprise

She looked at me in amazement .

a • maz • ing / a'meizig / adjective

If something is amazing , it surprises you very much and

is difficult to believe

I have an amazing story to tell you.

The concert was amazing — I didn't want it to end.

—SYNONYM incredible