Meaning of alternative universe | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A hypothetical world situated in a different dimension of space and time than the real world consisting of the universe known and experienced by human beings.
2. An imaginary realm, often a variant form of the real world or of the fictional universe usually depicted in a work, depicting a different way events could have unfolded or the universe could have functioned.

Equivalents

Examples

“In particular, it has been argued that if any of six (or perhaps a few more) numbers did not have rather particular values, then life as we know it would not be possible; atoms would not exist, or no grativationally bound structures would form in the Universe, or some other calamity would occur that would appear to make the alternative universe a very dull and lifeless place. How, then, did we get so lucky as to be here?”

“This mirroring was marked out by the way in which the Federation of Planets, a voluntary association of different worlds, never existed in the alternative universe; instead we find ourselves confronting a vicious militaristic Terran empire.”

CEFR level