neither
NEYE-thuh
Neither (det) means not one and not the other, of two things. Example: “Neither driver was hurt when the two cars bumped gently in the car park.”
det
1
Not one and not the other, of two things.
"Neither driver was hurt when the two cars bumped gently in the car park."
"I tried both shoes, but neither pair fitted me properly."
"Neither option really appeals to me."
conj
1
Used with "nor" to link two negative alternatives.
"He could neither sleep nor relax after the long and noisy journey."
"Neither the manager nor the staff knew where the keys had gone."
"She neither called nor emailed to explain."
adv
1
Also not; used to agree with a preceding negative statement.
"She hasn't finished her homework, and neither has her best friend."
""I don't like coffee." "Neither do I.""
"He has never been to Spain, and neither have I."
How to use neither
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe negative match to "either" — not this one and not that one.
Common mistake
Pair "neither" with "nor," not "or" — say "neither tea nor coffee," not "neither tea or coffee." Also, "neither" takes a singular verb: "neither of them is ready."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
neither...nor
neither of them
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_____ driver was hurt when the two cars bumped gently in the car park.
Etymology
From Middle English neiþer, reshaped under the influence of "either" from an earlier form meaning "not whether/which of the two."
Synonyms
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not either
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for neither
See all rhymes for neither →Frequently asked questions
What does “neither” mean?
The word “neither” means not one and not the other, of two things. In plain terms, the negative match to "either" — not this one and not that one.
How do you pronounce “neither”?
“Neither” is pronounced NEYE-thuh (/ˈnaɪ.ðɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “neither” in a sentence?
Here is “neither” used in a sentence: “Neither option really appeals to me.”
What part of speech is “neither”?
Depending on how it is used, “neither” can be a det, a conjunction and an adverb.
Where does the word “neither” come from?
The word “neither” comes from Middle English. From Middle English neiþer, reshaped under the influence of "either" from an earlier form meaning "not whether/which of the two.".
Is “neither” a common word?
“Neither” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “neither” have?
“Neither” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not one and not the other, of two things.
What is the difference between neither and either?
'Either' refers to one or the other of two options and is positive, as in 'either answer works.' 'Neither' is its negative counterpart, meaning not one and not the other, as in 'neither answer works.' Use either when at least one applies, and neither when both are ruled out.
Is neither singular or plural?
Traditionally, neither is treated as singular and takes a singular verb: 'neither option is suitable.' In everyday speech a plural verb, as in 'neither of them are here,' is common and widely accepted. In careful or formal writing, the singular form remains the safer choice.
Do you use neither with nor or or?
Neither pairs with 'nor,' not 'or.' The correct construction is 'neither... nor,' as in 'neither tea nor coffee.' Keep the two parts balanced grammatically. 'Either,' by contrast, pairs with 'or,' as in 'either tea or coffee,' which is a handy way to remember the difference.
How do you use neither in a sentence?
Neither can stand before a noun, as in 'neither team won,' pair with nor, as in 'neither hot nor cold,' or reply to a negative statement, as in 'I don't agree.' 'Neither do I.' In each case it signals that something is true of both things by ruling both of them out.
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