either

1 of 4

adjective

ei·​ther ˈē-t͟hər 

also

ˈī- 

1

: being the one and the other of two : each

flowers blooming on either side of the walk

plays either instrument well

2

: being the one or the other of two

take either road

either

2 of 4

pronoun

: the one or the other

take either of the two routes

either

3 of 4

conjunction

—used as a function word before two or more coordinate words, phrases, or clauses joined usually by or to indicate that what immediately follows is the first of two or more alternatives

can be used either as a guest room or as an office

either

4 of 4

adverb

1

: likewise, moreover

—used for emphasis after a negative

not smart or handsome either

2

: for that matter

—used for emphasis after an alternative following a question or conditional clause especially where negation is implied

who answers for the Irish parliament? or army either?

—Robert Browning

Synonyms

Adverb

• additionally
• again
• also
• besides
• further
• furthermore
• likewise
• more
• moreover
• then
• too
• withal
• yet

Examples of either in a Sentence

Adjective

French and English are closer to each other than either language is to Chinese.

You may take either road.

You may choose either answer.

Either way is all right with me.

Pronoun

I haven't written to either of my parents.

Adverb

you won't convince them, and, in fact, I don't agree either!

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But some judges criticized the either-jail-or-probation sentencing aspect of the parading charge. —Rachel Weiner, Tom Jackman and Spencer S. Hsu, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Jan. 2022

Conjunction

But scientists and doctors say things aren’t that simple — and a belief that exposing children to marijuana, either directly or indirectly, is harmless isn’t supported by the facts. —Daniel M. Jimenez, The Cannifornian, 22 June 2017

Consumers face two possible outcomes — insurers will either leave the marketplace or be forced to raise their rates. —Bloomberg News, The Denver Post, 5 May 2017

Adverb

Poetry in the Age of Disenchantment by Charles Taylor Ukraine Divided Almost three years after the beginning of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine is not defeated, but Russia is not victorious, either. —Erin Maglaque, The New York Review of Books, 15 Nov. 2024

But don’t forget a tank top or a pair of shorts, either. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English ǣghwæther both, each, from ā always + ge-, collective prefix + hwæther which of two, whether — more at aye, co-

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Pronoun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Conjunction

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing either

• either-or
• either way
• go either way

Kids Definition

either

1 of 4 adjective

ei·​ther ˈē-t͟hər 

also

ˈī- 

1

: being the one and the other of two : each

signs on either side of the walk

2

: being the one or the other of two

take either road

either

2 of 4 pronoun

: the one or the other

tell either of my sisters

either

3 of 4 conjunction

—used before the first of two or more words or word groups the last of which follows or to show that they are choices or possibilities

a statement is either true or false

either

4 of 4 adverb

1

: likewise sense 2, moreover

—used after a negative

not wise or handsome either

2

: so far as that is concerned

—used after a choice or possibility following a question or conditional clause

if your father had come or your mother either all would have gone well