and/or

American  

[and-awr] / ˈændˈɔr /

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.

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and/or British  

conjunction

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

   passports and/or other means of identification

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and/or Idioms  

1. 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.

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Usage

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?

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 )

Example Sentences

The next governor is going to have to make some tough decisions, especially around spending priorities and/or cuts to the state budget.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

But consuming too much of any substance in competition always came with significant risk: debilitating, day-altering gastric distress and/or diarrhea.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

The complainants alleged emails sent by Whitford were "dismissive, personalised and/or confrontational", did not address their concerns about the legality, safety and impact, and left them feeling "belittled and/or intimidated".

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Some assets pass outside of probate, including jointly held accounts, payable-on-death accounts and/or life insurance policies with named beneficiaries.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

As a chocolate fiend and our resident sweet tooth, Skid lived in a constant state of bewilderment that I was firmly committed to my Reese’s and/or other peanut butter and chocolate sweets.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon