Alternating
/ˈɔːltəneɪtɪŋ/
adjectiveIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
Occurring in turns; changing repeatedly from one to another.
/ˈɔːltəneɪtɪŋ/
adjectiveneutralIntermediate
General
Occurring in or characterized by alternation.
The traffic lights were alternating between red and green.
💡 Simply: Switching between two things.
More Examples
2
He followed an alternating pattern of work and rest.
How It's Used
Science
"The experiment involved alternating periods of light and darkness."
Engineering
"The engine uses an alternating current system."
From Middle English *alternaten, from Latin alternātus, past participle of alternāre "to change alternately," from alter "other"
The word has been used in its current sense since at least the 16th century.
Memory tip
Think of 'alternate' – it suggests a back-and-forth pattern.
Practice
Base: alternate
alternattingaltering
Usage
40%Spoken
60%Written