either

either
ei|ther1 W1S1 [ˈaıðə US ˈi:ðər] conj
either ... or
a) used to begin a list of two or more possibilities
▪ You add either one or two cloves of garlic.
▪ She's the kind of person you either love or hate.
see usage note ↑also
b) used to say that if one thing does not happen then something else will have to
▪ It's your choice! Either she leaves or I will!
▪ £75 seems a lot to pay for a starter motor, but it's either that or a new car!
c) an either-or situation
a situation in which you cannot avoid having to make a decision or choice
either 2
either2 W1S1 determiner, pron
1.) one or the other of two things or people
→↑any
▪ There's tea or coffee - you can have either.
▪ We can offer a comfortable home to a young person of either sex.
either of
▪ Could either of you lend me five pounds?
2.) used to show that a negative statement is true about both of two things or people
→↑neither
▪ I've lived in New York and Chicago, but don't like either city very much.
either of
▪ There were two witnesses but I wouldn't trust either of them.
3.) either side/end/hand etc
both sides, ends, hands etc
= ↑each
▪ He sat in the back of the car with a policeman on either side.
▪ There are shops at either end of the street.
4.) either way
a) used to say that something will be the same whichever of two things happens or is true
▪ You can get to Edinburgh by train or plane, but either way it's very expensive.
b) more or less than a certain amount or measurement
▪ A few marks either way can make the difference between a pass and a fail.
c) used to say that someone or something does not firmly support or want either one of two things
▪ 'All right, let's do that,' said Camille, who didn't care either way.
5.) could go either way
if a situation could go either way, both possible results are equally likely
▪ The latest opinion poll suggests the vote could go either way.
either 3
either3 adv
1.) [in negatives]
used to show that a negative statement is also true about another thing or person, or to add a different negative statement about something or someone
→↑neither
▪ I haven't seen the movie and my brother hasn't either (=he also has not seen it) .
▪ 'I can't swim.' 'I can't, either.'
▪ It's not an easy car to drive , and at $40,000 it's not cheap either.
2.) me either
AmE spoken used to say that a negative statement is also true about you
▪ 'I don't have any money right now.' 'Me either.'

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую
Synonyms:
(of two) / (of several) / (of two), ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • either — 1. pronunciation. The pronunciations iy dhǝ and ee dhǝ are about equally common. 2. parts of speech. Either functions in two ways: as an adjective or pronoun, and as an adverb or conjunction. In all these uses, it means essentially ‘one or other… …   Modern English usage

  • either — [ē′thər, ī′thər] adj. [ME < OE æghwæther < a (æ), always (see AY) + gehwæther, each of two (see WHETHER): akin to, and of same formation as, OHG eogihwedar] 1. one or the other (of two) [use either hand] 2. each (of two); the one and the… …   English World dictionary

  • Either — Ei ther ([=e] [th][ e]r or [imac] [th][ e]r; 277), a. & pron. [OE. either, aither, AS. [=ae]g[eth]er, [=ae]ghw[ae][eth]er (akin to OHG. [=e]ogiwedar, MHG. iegeweder); [=a] + ge + hw[ae][eth]er whether. See {Each}, and {Whether}, and cf. {Or},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Either — Ei ther, conj. Either precedes two, or more, co[ o]rdinate words or phrases, and is introductory to an alternative. It is correlative to or. [1913 Webster] Either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • either —  Either suggests a duality and is almost always better avoided when the context involves quantities of more than two, as in Decisions on Mansfield’s economy are now made in either Detroit, Pittsburgh, or New York. Often in such constructions,… …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • Either/Or — Album par Elliott Smith Sortie 27 février 1997 Durée 37:00 Genre(s) Rock indépendant Producteur(s) Elliott Smith Tom Rothrock Rob Schnapf …   Wikipédia en Français

  • either...or ...or — either...or (...or) phrase used for showing two or more possibilities or choices You must answer either yes or no. You can contact us either by phone, by email, or by letter. When there’s a crisis, they either do nothing or do something totally… …   Useful english dictionary

  • either — O.E. ægðer, contraction of æghwæðer each of two, both, from a always (see AYE (Cf. aye) (2)) + ge collective prefix + hwæðer which of two, whether (see WHETHER (Cf. whether)). Cognate with Du. ieder, O.H.G. eogiwedar, G …   Etymology dictionary

  • Either — Either/or means one or the other. Its usage, versus the simple or structure, is often for emphatic purposes, sometimes intending to emphasize that only one option is possible, or to emphasize that there are only two options. Its use in a sentence …   Wikipedia

  • either — ► CONJUNCTION & ADVERB 1) used before the first of two (or occasionally more) alternatives specified (the other being introduced by ‘or’). 2) (adverb ) used to indicate a similarity or link with a statement just made: You don t like him, do you?… …   English terms dictionary

  • either-or — [ē′thərôr′] adj. designating a proposition, situation, etc. limited to only two alternatives …   English World dictionary

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