either-or

American  

[ee-ther-awr, ahy-ther-] / ˈi ðərˈɔr, ˈaɪ ðər- /

adjective

1. allowing no equivocation; being limited in choice to two options.

   It's an either-or situation—you pay the bill or you lose the company's services.

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either-or British  

adjective

1. presenting an unavoidable need to choose between two alternatives

   an either-or situation

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Etymology

Origin of either-or

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Either or both can be the right choice.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2023

If you say to the Queen, "Either/ or," the Queen will say, "Well, in that case, I suggest you do or," which is sort of what happened.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2022

Either or both could fill the hole in the middle of the defense.

From Washington Times • Apr. 25, 2020

Either or both could explain the growing impression that Bannon is running the show.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2017

Either or both these heads may be employed to operate upon the vertical side faces of work, while the upper surface of the work is being planed.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua