and/or

[ and-awr ]

conjunction

1. (used to imply that either or both of the things mentioned may be affected or involved):

   insurance covering fire and/or wind damage.

and/or

conjunction

1. coordinating used to join terms when either one or the other or both is indicated

   passports and/or other means of identification

Usage Note

The combination and/or is used primarily in business and legal writing: All dwellings and/or other structures on the property are included in the contract. Because of these business and legal associations, some object to the use of this combination in general writing, where it occasionally occurs: She spends much of her leisure time entertaining and/or traveling. In such writing, either and or or is usually adequate. If a greater distinction is needed, another phrasing is available: Would you like cream or sugar, or both?

Usage

Many people think that and/or is only acceptable in legal and commercial contexts. In other contexts, it is better to use or both: some alcoholics lose their jobs or their driving licences or both (not their jobs and/or their driving licences )

Idioms and Phrases

Both or either of two options. For example, His use of copyrighted material shows that the writer is careless and/or dishonest . This idiom originated in legal terminology of the mid-1800s.

Example Sentences

As this list shows, punishments typically run to a short-ish jail sentence and/or a moderately hefty fine.

From The Daily Beast

Winners are solely responsible for any and all federal, state, and local taxes and/or fees that may be incurred.

From The Daily Beast

Winners will be solely responsible for any and all local, state, and federal taxes, and/or fees that may be incurred.

From The Daily Beast

Why aren't you as handsome and/or Canadian as Justin Bieber?

From The Daily Beast

This band is different from the rock groups that go in for charismatic lighting and sing of love and/or sex.

From The Daily Beast

Retouch along the blade edges often resulted in serrations and/or beveling.

From Project Gutenberg

Blade edges are usually straight but may be excurvate and may be beveled on one edge and/or serrated.

From Project Gutenberg

The blade is excurvate and may be slightly beveled on one side of each face and/or serrated.

From Project Gutenberg

Surface collections from sites in this area indicate a late Archaic and/or Woodland association.

From Project Gutenberg

You certainly started something here, Acne and/or Psoriasis.

From Project Gutenberg