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

Example Sentences

In recent weeks, government data has been mixed, showing both disappointing job gains and robust economic growth.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Our long-term outlook for GE Vernova as a leader in both Power and Electrification, and viewing GE Vernova as a core holding, are unchanged, but we are moving to the sidelines,” he wrote.

From Barron's

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 both closed at record highs on Friday.

From Barron's

“It roils the markets,” he said, adding that it unsettles both investors and the legal framework surrounding the Fed.

From Barron's

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 both closed at record highs on Friday.

From Barron's