alternative medicine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Formal/Neutral. Common in healthcare, wellness, and public discourse. Can be contentious.
Quick answer
What does “alternative medicine” mean?
Medical treatments used instead of conventional, scientifically proven medicine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Medical treatments used instead of conventional, scientifically proven medicine.
A broad range of health care practices, products, and therapies not considered part of standard, evidence-based medical care. It is often rooted in holistic or traditional belief systems and may be used alongside (complementary) or in place of conventional treatments.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is common in both. In the US, 'integrative medicine' is a more recent, formal term combining conventional and evidence-based complementary therapies. In the UK, the NHS has specific policies on 'complementary therapies'.
Connotations
Similar connotations: Can imply skepticism, controversy, or a holistic/patient-centred approach depending on the speaker's viewpoint.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties in professional and public discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “alternative medicine” in a Sentence
[Patient] sought/depends on alternative medicine for [condition].[Practitioner] specialises in alternative medicine.Debates about the efficacy of alternative medicine continue.Alternative medicine to [treat/manage] [symptom].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alternative medicine” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They are looking to alternative medicine to manage chronic symptoms.
American English
- Some patients choose to alternative-medicine their way through treatment. (rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- He was treated alternatively through medicine. (awkward, rare)
American English
- N/A. The term is not used as a standard adverb.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to the wellness industry, clinics, or product marketing.
Academic
Used in medical sociology, public health, and ethics papers, often with critical analysis.
Everyday
Discussing health choices, e.g., 'She's trying alternative medicine for her back pain.'
Technical
In clinical guidelines, distinguishing between proven and unproven therapeutic modalities.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alternative medicine”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alternative medicine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alternative medicine”
- Using 'alternative doctor' (ambiguous; prefer 'practitioner of alternative medicine').
- Confusing 'alternative' (instead of) with 'complementary' (alongside).
- Using it as a countable noun (*an alternative medicine* for a specific herb; correct: an alternative therapy/remedy).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Holistic medicine' is a philosophy treating the whole person (mind, body, spirit), which many alternative practices follow. 'Alternative medicine' is the broader category of non-conventional practices, some of which may be holistic.
Not inherently. The term is descriptive, but it is often used in contexts debating scientific evidence. It means it is not part of the standard medical curriculum or first-line treatment.
Alternative medicine is used **instead of** conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used **alongside** conventional medicine (e.g., using acupuncture for pain relief after surgery). The combined term is CAM.
In Western contexts, typically yes, unless a specific herbal compound has been extensively studied, approved by bodies like the FDA, and prescribed by conventional doctors (e.g., digoxin from foxglove).
Medical treatments used instead of conventional, scientifically proven medicine.
Alternative medicine is usually formal/neutral. common in healthcare, wellness, and public discourse. can be contentious. in register.
Alternative medicine: in British English it is pronounced /ɒlˈtɜːnətɪv ˈmɛds(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv ˈmɛdəsən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not snake oil, it's alternative medicine. (often used ironically)”
- “A last resort in alternative medicine.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an ALTERNATIVE route on a map, bypassing the main highway of conventional medicine.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICINE IS A PATH/JOURNEY (the 'alternative' path vs. the 'main' road).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most closely associated with 'alternative medicine' when used together with conventional treatments?