both

both · determiner

imported

Definitions

determiner

  1. 1.

    Used to refer to two people or things together.

  2. 2.

    Used with "and" to emphasize that two things are equally true or applicable.

  3. 3.

    Each of two; the one as well as the other.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    both ways — in each of two directions or methods
  • •
    have it both ways — to benefit from two incompatible situations
  • •
    best of both worlds — enjoying advantages of two different things
  • •
    burn the candle at both ends — to exhaust oneself by doing too much

Related words

Antonyms: either, neither
See also: each, either, neither, two
Synonyms: each, the two

Etymology

From Old English "ba" (both), related to Old Norse "baðir" and Gothic "bai," from Proto-Germanic "*bai" meaning both.