or
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for or, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Conjunction — Used to link two or more alternatives, showing that any one of them could be true or chosen.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
or else
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English or, partly a contraction of "other" and partly from Old English oththe, both meaning roughly "or."
Full origin of or →Frequently asked questions
What does “or” mean?
The word “or” means used to link two or more alternatives, showing that any one of them could be true or chosen. In plain terms, the word that links choices or alternatives together.
How do you pronounce “or”?
“Or” is pronounced uh (/ə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “or” in a sentence?
Here is “or” used in a sentence: “Would you like tea or coffee?”
What is the opposite of “or”?
The opposite of “or” — its antonyms — is NOR.
What part of speech is “or”?
“Or” is a conjunction.
Where does the word “or” come from?
The word “or” comes from Old English. From Middle English or, partly a contraction of "other" and partly from Old English oththe, both meaning roughly "or.".
Is “or” a common word?
“Or” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “or” have?
“Or” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to link two or more alternatives, showing that any one of them could be true or chosen.
What is the difference between "or" and "nor"?
"Or" links alternatives in positive contexts ("tea or coffee"), while "nor" continues a negative begun by "neither" or another negative word ("neither tea nor coffee"). After "neither," standard English requires "nor," not "or."
Do you put a comma before "or"?
Use a comma before "or" when it joins two independent clauses ("You can call me, or you can send an email"). In lists, the comma before the final "or" is the serial (Oxford) comma — standard in many American styles and optional in British style — so pick one approach and stay consistent.
Is "and/or" acceptable in writing?
"And/or" is accepted in legal, technical, and business writing, where it compactly covers both possibilities. Many style guides discourage it in general prose because it reads awkwardly; writing "X or Y, or both" is a clearer alternative.
