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

If you compare individual bond funds or bond funds for investment using your own federal and/or state income-tax rates, you may find that the tax-exempt yields are compelling at certain times but not at others.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

In April 2025, researchers reported possible traces of molecules called dimethyl sulfide and/or dimethyl disulfide.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 9, 2026

In the Comfort ride mode, drivers have the option to engage active longitudinal and/or lateral damping.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026

For many, the refusal to acknowledge any kind of pecking order will feel fresh, fun, validating and/or thought-provoking.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

“If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of William Lamar and/or Ruby Jean Lamar, please call the number on the screen below.”

From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone