and
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for and, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Conj — Used to join two words, phrases, or ideas that go together.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Old English and, ond, going back to a Proto-Germanic word meaning roughly "facing, in addition."
Full origin of and →Frequently asked questions
What does “and” mean?
The word “and” means used to join two words, phrases, or ideas that go together. In plain terms, the most basic joining word in English, used to connect words, phrases, or sentences.
How do you pronounce “and”?
“And” is pronounced AND (/ˈænd/ in IPA).
How do you use “and” in a sentence?
Here is “and” used in a sentence: “She bought bread and milk.”
What is another word for “and”?
Words with a similar meaning to “and” include as well as, together with, in addition to, &, 'n' and +.
What part of speech is “and”?
“And” is a conjunction.
Where does the word “and” come from?
The word “and” comes from Old English. From Old English and, ond, going back to a Proto-Germanic word meaning roughly "facing, in addition.".
Is “and” a common word?
“And” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “and” have?
“And” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to join two words, phrases, or ideas that go together.
Can you start a sentence with "and"?
Yes. Beginning a sentence with "and" is grammatically acceptable and common in published writing, where it links a new sentence to the previous idea. Some formal style guides advise using it sparingly, but there is no rule of English grammar against it.
When do you need a comma before "and"?
Use a comma before "and" when it joins two complete sentences: "She knocked, and the door opened." In lists, the comma before the final "and" (the serial or Oxford comma) is optional, but it is recommended wherever leaving it out would create ambiguity.
What is the difference between "and" and "or"?
"And" joins items that apply together: "tea and cake" means both. "Or" presents alternatives: "tea or coffee" means one of them. In negative sentences, "or" typically covers both items: "I don't drink tea or coffee" rules out both.
When is it acceptable to use "&" instead of "and"?
The ampersand (&) is a shorthand symbol for "and" used in company names, titles, tables, and other space-limited settings. In ordinary sentences and formal writing, spell out "and" in full.