In abstract algebra, a magma G is said to be left alternative if (xx)y=x(xy) for all x and y in G and right alternative if y(xx)=(yx)x for all x and y in G. A magma that is both left and right alternative is said to be alternative.

Any associative magma (semigroup) is clearly alternative. More generally, a magma in which every pair of elements generates an associative submagma must be alternative. The converse, however, is not true, in contrast to the situation in alternative algebras. In fact, an alternative magma need not even be power-associative.