—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
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! See More
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Either the gravitational influence from a passing star or group of stars, or the shock waves from an old exploding star in the distance, stirs up the nebula. Mike Lynch / Sky Watch, Twin Cities, 11 Mar. 2017 Now either the president is flip-flopping or his staff is, once again, speaking out of turn. Alicia Wallace, The Cannabist, 23 Feb. 2017 The tests use either a cheek swab or saliva and return autosomal DNA reports, sampling at more than 700,000 locations along a genome. Katharine Gammon, Orange County Register, 30 Jan. 2017 The quarterbacks are the storyline for the 1:35 p.m. kickoff, but not in the way either team would’ve liked. Jimmy Durkin, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2017
Adverb
Sometimes passengers are told to stow their carry-on like a book, but that doesn’t always register either. Dawn Gilbertson, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 No one associated with the play seems particularly fond of him either. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 The Smiths could not immediately be reached for comment, either. Lee O. Sanderlin, Baltimore Sun, 13 Sep. 2022 Subtract a December game against Division III Occidental, and seven of the 11 opponents are either from power conferences or played in the NCAA Tournament last season. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2022 Don't allow sunk costs to lead to future costs, either. Lauren Phillips, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2022 Truth be told, Green doesn't want to be doing this, either.The Indianapolis Star, 13 Sep. 2022 But Cox wasn't dishing just out negative takes, either. Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 13 Sep. 2022 The men don’t talk about it amongst themselves, either. Ivana Hrynkiw | Ihrynkiw@al.com, al, 12 Sep. 2022 See More
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