American English

How to pronounce alternately

adverbB2
AWLternuhtlee

/ˈɔl.tɚ.nət̚.li/

4 syllables · Stress the first syllable.

One after another, with people or things taking turns or changing from one to another.

What to listen for

Alternately is commonly pronounced /ˈɔɫ.tɚ.nət̚.li/. Some American speakers use /ˈɑɫ.tɚ.nɪt̚.li/; both are natural American pronunciations.

Usual pronunciation/ˈɔɫ.tɚ.nət̚.li/
Common American variant/ˈɑɫ.tɚ.nɪt̚.li/
Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

adverbless common

One after another, with people or things taking turns or changing from one to another.

The two teams attacked alternately.

The sky was alternately dark and bright.

Good to know

Do not confuse alternately with alternatively. Alternately means taking turns or changing back and forth; alternatively introduces another choice.

Common phrases & grammar

alternately hot and cold · alternately rise and fall

subject + verb + alternately

subject + be + alternately + adjective + and + adjective

Related words & forms