either

eitherconjunction

1. either ... orused before the first of two possibilities joined by or, to introduce a choice between them

   Either pairs with or to join two words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically alike: two nouns, two verbs, or two whole clauses. In a negative sentence, the same pair still shows a choice between two things, both refused: I don't like either tea or coffee means neither one.

   • You can have either tea or coffee.
   • Either come in or close the door.
   • She said she would either call or text.
   • I don't like either tea or coffee. (negative)

   Collocations

   phrase either this or that, either now or never

   Compare neither (neither ... nor is the negative pair, ruling out both on its own, without a separate not); nor; neither

   For translators (sense 1)

   Meaning across languages Some languages use the same word for this conjunction and for the determiner or pronoun either; in English, the conjunction always pairs with or, while the other uses do not.

   Grammar trap Either ... or joins two grammatically parallel elements: two nouns, two verbs, or two clauses, never a noun and a clause.

See also either (either before a singular noun, meaning one or the other: either road); either (either used alone or with of: either of us); either (either at the end of a negative sentence, meaning also not: I don't like it either)

eitherpronoun

1. one or the otherone or the other of two people or things, when it does not matter which

   Either stands alone, without a following noun, often before of: either of us, I don't mind either. Directly before a noun, either is a determiner, a separate entry.

   • You can take either of the seats.
   • Would you like tea or coffee? Either is fine.
   • I don't like either of them very much.
   • Either of us could drive.

   Collocations

   phrase either of, either of them

   Antonyms neither

   Compare neither

   For translators (sense 1)

   Grammar trap Either carries no negative meaning by itself: either is fine offers a free choice. To mean not one and not the other, it needs a negative word elsewhere in the clause (not, don't, never). Neither, a separate word, already carries the negative meaning and is not used with another negative.

See also either (either directly before a noun: either seat); neither

eitherdeterminer

Either points to one member of a pair, or, in a fixed position, to both members of a pair.

1. one or the otherused before a singular noun, when there are two possibilities, to mean one or the other, it does not matter which

   Either offers a free choice between exactly two things: either road means the choice is between two roads and it does not matter which. Either followed by of plus a pronoun or plural noun (either of us, either of the roads) belongs to a separate entry.

   • You can park on either side of the street.
   • Either day works for me.
   • You may choose either dessert.
   • Take either road; they both lead to town.

   Antonyms neither

   Compare any (either is for a choice between exactly two; any is for a choice among three or more, or for an unstated amount); neither

2. each of twoused before a singular noun to mean each of two, especially to describe something on both sides

   In this use either means much the same as both, but it is used only with singular nouns describing position: on either side means on both sides.

   • There were tall trees on either side of the road.
   • She had a friend sitting on either side of her.
   • A door stood at either end of the hall.

   Collocations

   phrase on either side, at either end

See also neither; either (either used with of or alone, without a following noun: either of us, I don't want either); either (either at the end of a negative sentence, meaning also not: I don't like it either); either (either ... or, joining two possibilities)