What does alternately mean?
"Alternately" is an adverb describing action that proceeds by turns — first one thing, then another, in regular succession. A signal may flash red and green alternately; two players may take turns serving alternately; a person's mood may swing between laughing and crying alternately. The word carries a sense of rhythm and reciprocity, implying a pattern rather than randomness. It derives from the Latin alternus, "one after the other," rooted in alter, "the other of two." Because it closely resembles "alternatively," which means "as another option," the two are frequently confused; precision matters in formal writing, where "alternately" should be kept for alternating actions and "alternatively" for choices. Its related family includes the verb "alternate," the adjective "alternating," and the noun "alternation," all sharing the same core idea of taking turns.
adverbIn a manner that occurs by turns, first one thing and then another in regular succession; also, on each occasion in turn or as an alternative.
- First one then the other; by turns, in regular succession.
- On each occasion in turn; taking place every other time.
"The lighthouse beam flashed red and green alternately across the bay."
"She pressed the brake and accelerator alternately as she navigated the icy hill."
"The two teams serve alternately throughout the match."
The same word that describes a flickering traffic light can also mean 'as a second choice' — a double life that trips up even careful writers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of alternately
"Alternately" comes from the adjective "alternate," which entered English from Latin alternatus, the past participle of alternare, "to do by turns." The Latin root alternus means "one after the other" and ultimately derives from alter, "the other (of two)." This same root gives English several cognates, including "alternative," "alteration," and, via French, "altruism" (regard for others). The adverb has been used in English since at least the early modern period to describe things done in succession or by turns.
Related word forms
How alternately is actually used
Standard in both formal and informal writing. In careful prose, reserve it for the 'by turns' meaning; when offering a second option, prefer "alternatively" to avoid ambiguity.
Easily confused with alternately
"Alternately" means happening by turns or in succession, while "alternatively" means as another option or possibility.