Either
/ˈiːðər/
Meaning & Definition
adjective
Used to refer to one or the other of two items.
You can take either road to get to the lake.
Referring to each of two people or things.
Either side of the argument has its merits.
conjunction
Used to introduce a choice between two alternatives.
You can either have coffee or tea.
Used to give emphasis to a choice between two items.
Either option works for me.
Used to indicate that something is true of one member of a pair and also true of the other.
Either of the solutions will solve the problem.
pronoun
Used to refer to one or the other of two people or things.
Either of the books would be a good choice.
Used in negatives and questions to indicate a lack of preference.
I didn't like either of the movies.
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English 'āgēnor' meaning 'each of two'
Common Phrases and Expressions
either or
used to indicate a choice between two options.
either way
in any case; regardless of the outcome.
either here or there
indicating two possible locations.
Related Words
neither
used to indicate not one or the other of two or more options.
either-or
a situation presenting two alternatives.
Slang Meanings
either way
I’m fine either way!
either/or dilemma
It's an either/or situation, we need to decide.