either-or

1 of 2

noun

ei·​ther-or ˌē-t͟hər-ˈȯr 

 also  ˌī-

: an unavoidable choice or exclusive division between only two alternatives

either-or

2 of 2

adjective

: of or marked by either-or : black-and-white

Examples of either-or in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Olah, like many in the community who balance visions of utopian abundance and existential devastation, plants himself in the middle of this either-or proposition. —Steven Levy, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025

Then, that group convinced schools that winning in football and basketball wasn’t an either-or proposition. —Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025

The bunnies offered an either-or that seems to have tickled her interest in the intersection between what’s literal and abstract: the mind conspires with the eye to see bodies in shapes or shapes in bodies. —Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2025

Leaders who embrace this truth see that relationships and achievement aren’t an either-or proposition. —Jennifer Kamara, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025

The ‘either-or’ narrative makes no sense even at the slightest glance. —Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

Rather than seeing college and nontraditional education as either-or choices, families should embrace a both-and mindset—one that prioritizes adaptability, lifelong learning, and a willingness to pivot as new opportunities emerge. —Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Yet as more starting pitchers try to extract more movement and velocity out of their pitch mix, it's almost become an either-or proposition. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025

Accordingly, instead of bits, with their either-or operation, quantum computing uses a quantum bit, or qubit, which is a system that can be simultaneously in states 0 and 1. —Charina Chou, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1922, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for either-or

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• blastopore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore