and
AND
And (conj) means used to join two words, phrases, or ideas that go together. Example: “She bought bread and milk.”
conj
1
Used to join two words, phrases, or ideas that go together.
"She bought bread and milk."
"He was tired and hungry after the hike."
"My brother plays the guitar and the piano very well."
2
Used to link two clauses or sentences, often showing a sequence, result, or contrast.
"He studied hard, and he passed the exam."
"Turn the key and the engine starts."
"She opened the window and a cool breeze filled the room."
How to use and
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe most basic joining word in English, used to connect words, phrases, or sentences.
Common mistake
Starting a sentence with "And" is grammatically fine in modern English, despite the old classroom rule against it — it's just informal in tone.
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Word forms
- Plural
- ands
- Third person singular
- ands
- Past tense
- anded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She bought bread _____ milk.
Etymology
From Old English and, ond, going back to a Proto-Germanic word meaning roughly "facing, in addition."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for and
See all rhymes for 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.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing and in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
More than 300,000 people in France and Spain have fled fires which have been raging for days, as winds and high temperatures hamper efforts to contain them.
From
BBC · Jul 25, 2026
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Vocabulary lists that include and:
