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

See Examples For:

and/or

The FA said it is "alleged that the head coach acted in an improper manner and/or brought the game into disrepute by directing and/or authorising the observation of training sessions" of these games.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

It is also hard to distinguish the effects of caffeine from those of ingredients commonly added to coffee, including milk, cream, flavored syrups and/or sugar.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

They can be used for weight loss and/or to treat type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

This is a good time to reach out to them and offer your help and/or ask if there is anything you can do.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026

Creating a sound carpet entails taking a story and adding sound effects, leitmotifs, instruments, vocal sounds, body percussion, and actors and/or a narrator, in order to bring literature to life.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin