both
bohth
Both (det) means referring to two people or things together, rather than just one. Example: “Both children were tired after the long drive.”
det
1
Referring to two people or things together, rather than just one.
"Both children were tired after the long drive."
"Both of my brothers play the guitar in a small band."
"I like both the red jacket and the blue one."
conj
1
Used with "and" to emphasize that two things are true or included together.
"She is both talented and modest about it."
"Our teacher is both strict and fair, so everyone respects her."
"He wants to both save money and travel more next year."
How to use both
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to refer to two things or people at once, treating them as a pair.
Common mistake
"Both" is only for exactly two items — for three or more, use "all."
Common pairings
both of us
both...and
in both cases
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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.
Synonyms
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the two
the pair
the two of them
each of the two
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for both
See all rhymes for 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.
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