1. in turns; one after the other in succession
2. as another choice or possibility; instead
Usage: sometimes considered nonstandard; ‘alternatively’ is preferred in formal writing

Examples

• The students alternately read paragraphs from the book.
• Traffic lights alternately show red and green.
• The dancers alternately stepped forward and backward.
• We could go to the beach or alternately visit the museum.
• The speakers alternately presented their arguments.
• Rain and sunshine alternately dominated the weather that week.