noun
Uncommon
alt
awlt
Alt (noun) means a keyboard modifier key used together with other keys to trigger alternate commands. Example: “Press Alt and Tab together to switch windows.”
noun
1
A keyboard modifier key used together with other keys to trigger alternate commands.
"Press Alt and Tab together to switch windows."
"Hold down the Alt key while you click to select several items."
"Many shortcuts on the laptop use the Alt key with a letter."
2
Informal: a secondary or alternate account, especially in gaming or on social media.
"Yes, I have many alts, and no, none of the others have any unusual capitalisation."
— KaVir, Code Bases - why release buggy crap? (2000)
"He posts spoilers on his alt so his main followers don't see them."
"I made an alt so I could try the game as a beginner."
"She plays her main in the morning and her alt after work."
"Of these alts, how many of them are a gender other than your own?"
— Jonobie D. Baker, Survey of MUSHers (1996)
"You've been here four days and you already know about the incident from last year? You're such an obvious alt."
How to use alt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the Alt key on a keyboard, or slang for a backup/secondary account online.
Common pairings
alt key
alt account
press alt
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Word forms
- Plural
- alts
- Third person singular
- alts
- Past tense
- alted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Press _____ and Tab together to switch windows.
Etymology
From Latin altus, "high" — the same root as "altitude" and "alto".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for alt
See all rhymes for alt →Frequently asked questions
What does “alt” mean?
The word “alt” means a keyboard modifier key used together with other keys to trigger alternate commands. In plain terms, either the Alt key on a keyboard, or slang for a backup/secondary account online.
How do you pronounce “alt”?
“Alt” is pronounced awlt (/ɑlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “alt” in a sentence?
Here is “alt” used in a sentence: “Press Alt and Tab together to switch windows.”
What part of speech is “alt”?
“Alt” is a noun.
Where does the word “alt” come from?
The word “alt” comes from Latin. From Latin altus, "high" — the same root as "altitude" and "alto".
Is “alt” a common word?
“Alt” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “alt” have?
“Alt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a keyboard modifier key used together with other keys to trigger alternate commands.
What is the difference between the "Alt" key and the "Ctrl" key?
Both are keyboard modifier keys used together with other keys to trigger alternate commands, but they typically control different shortcuts depending on the software and operating system. Neither key does anything meaningful on its own.
What does "alt" mean in gaming or on social media?
In gaming and social media, "alt" informally refers to a secondary or alternate account, often used alongside a person's main account for a different purpose, such as testing or privacy.
Is "alt" the same on Mac keyboards as on Windows keyboards?
Mac keyboards often label the equivalent key "Option" rather than "Alt," though it serves a similar function as a modifier key used with other keys to trigger alternate commands.
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