both

American  

[bohth] / boʊθ /

adjective

1. one and the other; two together.

   He met both sisters. Both performances were canceled.

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pronoun

1. the one as well as the other.

   Both of us were going to the party.

conjunction

1. alike; equally.

   He is both ready and willing.

both British  

/ bəʊθ /

determiner

1. 1. the two; two considered together

      both dogs were dirty

   2. ( as pronoun )

      both are to blame

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conjunction

1. (coordinating) used preceding words, phrases, or clauses joined by and , used to emphasize that not just one, but also the other of the joined elements is included

   both Ellen and Keith enjoyed the play

   both new and exciting

both Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing both

• best of both worlds
• burn the candle at both ends
• cut both ways
• foot in both camps
• have it both ways
• play both ends against the middle
• work both sides of the street

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Etymology

Origin of both

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English bothe, bathe, Old English bā thā “both the, both those”; cognate with German, Dutch beide, Old High German bêde; akin to Latin ambō, Greek ámphō, Lithuanian abù, Sanskrit ubháu

Explanation

When you're talking about two things that go together, use the adjective both. If you put on both of your boots, you are wearing the left one and the right one. When you use the word both, you're always talking about two of something. If you say you're having dinner with both of your brothers this weekend, it means you have two brothers. When you call both of your dogs to come inside, it's clear you've got two dogs. There are a few theories about the origin of both, including the Old English word begen, "both," and the the Old Norse baðir, also "both."

Example Sentences

Brent and WTI last week both logged their biggest one-week percentage declines since April 2020.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Bristol Myers and Pfizer, the buyers behind two of those large acquisitions, have both underperformed the broader pharma industry and continue to grapple with revenue pressures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

If successful, Southern Water says the floating wetland technology could be deployed widely across the UK in both marine and freshwater environments.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Oil prices -- which tumbled last week after the United States and Iran agreed to a ceasefire -- jumped around eight percent Monday, with both contracts topping $100 a barrel.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

The walls on both sides of us were lined with narrow metal doors.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom