alternative is someone who does whatever the fuck they want and doesnt care about what anyone says.
they could listen to rock,punk,metal ect, but not care about the baggyness of trews, and wear short denim and scally clothes.
its up to the person really. it isnt someone trying to set up a new "thing" at all.
*fill in name here*: EEEEEEH, why u listening to THAT?!
Alternative: because i want to, jerk
*same name as 1st*:...............oh.
by shush_you July 4, 2004
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Both a genre of music and...something else.

The music: Alternative and indie are similar, and both came from college rock, which is what happened when goth became more mainstream (and goth was what happened when punk became more mainstream). The difference between alternative and indie is simple. Indie bands are on an independent label (or unsigned) and alternative bands aren't. Thus, alternative is more 'mainstream' than indie.

The...other thing: Like most music, people who listen to it are sometimes labeled by it. Alternative and indie are once again similar, but often times indie kids are contemptuous of alternative kids because they're mainstream, which is stupid because the whole point is the music, and is also the reason that punk and goth etc. died because they became 'mainstream'. Thus, sometimes indie kids are obsessed with not becoming mainstream, and consider bands that sign with a major label and the people who listen to the sellouts. Alternative kids usually care less about that (even if they listen to indie bands) and listen to the music that they like, even if it isn't indie or even alternative or rock, the music they like is the music they like. Like indie kids though, alternative kids will never label themselves that way, and no one will ever label them that way either, except to say 'people who listen to alt'. If you label yourself that way, you're probably just like someone who labels themselves punk or goth, trying to be 'unique' instead of yourself.
Indie kid: Death Cab for Cutie is a sellout! I'm never going to listen to them again, they were on a major label and got mentioned on a TV show. Now tons of people are going to listen to them and that makes them stupid.
Alternative kid: Sure, that sucks and all, but I still like their music, so I don't care that much.
by boredtodeath October 30, 2005
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When people of alternative life styles get into an arguement or fight.
"Did you hear about the alternication at Smitty's? Yeah, two drag queens totally threw down."
by Seven Hyde December 13, 2008
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An 'Alternative' is a person or group of people (usually in their teens) who don't fit into any particular labelled group (goths, grungers, chavs, skaters, etc).

They listen to what they want and wear what they want but are rarely associated with people like chavs and townies.

They are similar to rockers in some ways but are usually more individual.
Chav 1: Oh My GoD yOu LiStEn To MeTaLlIcA yOu GrUnGeR!!111ONE
Chav 2: YoU lIsTeN tO dAsHbOaRd CoNfEsSiOnAl YoU'rE sO eMo!!111OnE
Chav 3: If YoU lIsTeN tO rOcK tHeN yOu'Re A rOcKeR!!111one
Alternative: Actually I'm alternative. I prefer not to conform to your stupid labels.
by Izzibella September 12, 2005
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A generator that transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy, specifically AC Power (alternating current). These are usually found in automobiles. They make it go by charging the battery and maintaining an electrical current to one or more of the following items: a) spark plugs, b) air conditioning, c) stereo, d) power windows, e) various pumping mechanisms... etc.
The alternator in my car is broken. My battery has no juice even right after I shut off the car.
by quaker oatmeal July 26, 2003
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DUDE- can someone tell what alternative means?

DUDE2- its lost its meaning, so don't think about it.
by nostaw tarum December 18, 2007
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