1. To switch between two things:
* Example: "The traffic lights alternate between red and green."
* Meaning: This means the lights go back and forth, changing from red to green and back again.
2. To take turns:
* Example: "We alternate driving on the long trip."
* Meaning: This means one person drives for a while, then the other person drives, and so on.
3. To be a different option or possibility:
* Example: "We have an alternate plan in case the weather is bad."
* Meaning: This means there is another plan that can be used if the original plan doesn't work.
4. To occur in a regular pattern:
* Example: "The days alternate between sunny and cloudy."
* Meaning: This means there is a pattern, like sunny day, cloudy day, sunny day, and so on.
5. As an adjective, meaning "different" or "every other":
* Example: "We meet on alternate Tuesdays."
* Meaning: This means we meet every other Tuesday, not every Tuesday.
Let me know if you'd like an example of "alternate" used in a specific context, and I'll be happy to provide one!