both
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for both, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Det — Referring to two people or things together, rather than just one.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
the two
the pair
the two of them
each of the two
Antonyms
How to use both
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
both of us
both...and
in both cases
Etymology
From Old English ba tha ("both the"), reinforced by a related Old Norse form — an old remnant of a grammatical form once used specifically for pairs of things.
Full origin of both →Frequently asked questions
What does “both” mean?
The word “both” means referring to two people or things together, rather than just one. In plain terms, used to refer to two things or people at once, treating them as a pair.
How do you pronounce “both”?
“Both” is pronounced bohth ([boʊθ] in IPA).
How do you use “both” in a sentence?
Here is “both” used in a sentence: “Both children were tired after the long drive.”
What part of speech is “both”?
Depending on how it is used, “both” can be a det and a conjunction.
Where does the word “both” come from?
The word “both” comes from Old English. From Old English ba tha ("both the"), reinforced by a related Old Norse form — an old remnant of a grammatical form once used specifically for pairs of things.
Is “both” a common word?
“Both” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “both” have?
“Both” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: referring to two people or things together, rather than just one.
What is the difference between both and all?
'Both' refers to exactly two people or things, taken together — 'both hands.' 'All' refers to every member of a group of any size, usually three or more — 'all fingers.' Use 'both' only when there are precisely two; once the number rises above two, 'all' is the correct word.
What is the difference between 'both' and 'either'?
'Both' means the two together — 'both roads were closed' means neither was open. 'Either' means one or the other of the two — 'either road will do' means you can pick just one. Both includes the pair at once, while either selects a single option from the two.
Can 'both' be used for more than two things?
No. 'Both' refers strictly to two people or things. For three or more, you need 'all' instead. Saying 'both' about three items is a common mistake. If you're grouping more than two, or you're unsure of the exact number, 'all' is the safe and correct choice.
