What does either mean?
Either is a versatile function word used when choosing between, or referring to, exactly two alternatives. As a determiner or pronoun, it points to one or the other of two items ('you may have either slice'), or, less commonly, it means 'each of two' ('trees stood on either bank'). Paired with 'or', it forms the correlative construction 'either...or', presenting two options clearly ('Either we leave now, or we miss the train'). After a negative statement, 'either' works as an adverb meaning 'also not' ('I can't come, and she can't either'), replacing 'too' or 'as well' in negative contexts. Pronunciation varies notably: British speakers say both 'EE-thuh' and 'EYE-thuh', whereas American speakers overwhelmingly prefer 'EE-ther'. Derived from Old English and related to words for 'each of two', either remains essential for expressing binary choice with precision and economy.
One or the other of two people or things; also, each of two.
"Either answer is acceptable."
Takes a singular noun in standard usage.
One or the other of two.
"Both cakes look good — I'll have either."
Used with 'or' to introduce the first of two alternatives.
"You can have either tea or coffee."
The elements should ideally be grammatically parallel.
Used after a negative statement to mean 'also not'.
"He didn't call, and she didn't either."
Either is pronounced two different ways — 'EE-ther' in Britain and often 'EYE-ther' in America — making it one of English's rare words that openly disagrees with itself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of either
Either descends from Old English ǣgther (also ægther), formed from the elements ǣ 'ever, always' plus a form related to 'two', giving the original sense 'each of two'. It is cognate with Dutch ieder and German jeder, both meaning 'each, every'. The word has remained remarkably stable in meaning since the Old English period, though its dual pronunciations developed later through differing vowel developments in Middle and Early Modern English.
Usage notes
In British English both /ˈiːðə/ and /ˈaɪðə/ are heard, while American English strongly prefers /ˈiːðər/. In formal usage, 'either' as a determiner takes a singular noun ('either option'), though informal speech sometimes uses plural constructions. In the sense 'each of two', some style guides consider 'either' ambiguous and prefer 'both'.
Don't confuse with
'Either' refers to one or the other of two things (or adds 'also' in negatives), while 'neither' means 'not one and not the other'.