neither

American  

[nee-ther, nahy-] / ˈni ðər, ˈnaɪ- /

conjunction

1. not either, as of persons or things specified (usually followed bynor ).

   Neither John nor Betty is at home.

2. nor; nor yet; no more.

   Bob can't go, and neither can I. If she doesn't want it, neither do I.

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adjective

1. not either; not the one or the other.

   Neither statement is true.

pronoun

1. not either; not one person or the other; not one thing or the other.

   Neither of the suggestions will do. Neither is to be trusted.

neither British  

/ ˈniːðə, ˈnaɪðə /

determiner

1. 1. not one nor the other (of two); not either

      neither foot is swollen

   2. ( as pronoun )

      neither can win

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conjunction

1. (coordinating)

   1. (used preceding alternatives joined by nor) not

      neither John nor Mary nor Joe went

   2. another word for nor

adverb

1. not_standard (sentence modifier) another word for either

Grammar

As an adjective or pronoun meaning “not either,” neither is usually followed by a singular verb and referred to by a singular personal pronoun: Neither lawyer prepares her own briefs. Neither performs his duties for reward. When neither is followed by a prepositional phrase with a plural object, there has been, ever since the 17th century, a tendency, especially in speech and less formal writing, to use a plural verb and personal pronoun: Neither of the guards were at their stations. In edited writing, however, singular verbs and pronouns are more common in such constructions: Neither of the guards was at his station. As a correlative conjunction, neither is almost always followed by nor, not or: Neither the liberals nor the conservatives had originally supported the winner. Subjects connected by neither … nor take singular verbs and pronouns when both subjects are singular ( Neither Diane nor Nicole has her own apartment ), plural when both are plural: Neither the Yankees nor the Dodgers got much help from their bull pens that year. Usage guides commonly say that when a singular and a plural subject are joined by these correlative conjunctions, the noun or pronoun nearer the verb should determine the number of the verb: Neither the mayor nor the council members have yielded on the issue. Neither the council members nor the mayor has yielded on the issue. Practice in this matter varies, however, and often the presence of one plural, no matter what its position, results in a plural verb. In edited writing the construction following neither is parallel to the one following nor : The great days of American political oratory are neither dead nor waning (not neither are dead nor waning ). This sale sacrifices neither quality nor availability (not This sale neither sacrifices quality nor availability ). Although some usage guides say that neither may introduce a series of no more than two, it often is used to introduce a series of three or more: The head of that department is neither skillful nor well-prepared nor honest. See also either.

Pronunciation

See either.

Usage

A verb following a compound subject that uses neither… should be in the singular if both subjects are in the singular: neither Jack nor John has done the work

Etymology

Origin of neither

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English, equivalent to ne “not” + either; replacing Middle English nawther, Old English nāwther, nāhwæther ( nā “not, no” + hwæther “which of two”); see no ¹, whether

Explanation

When offered a choice between two things you don't like, you might choose neither. Whereas "either" means you would pick one, neither closes the door on both, saying you do "not" choose "either" one. The adjective neither comes directly from Middle English, evolving from the word nawther. Neither is versatile, and can be used as a pronoun, ("Neither of your ideas works"), or an adjective ("Neither plan can be used"). It can also be used as a conjunction, in which case it is usually paired with "nor" ("We can use neither your first suggestion nor your second one"). Sounds like you're having a tough day.

Example Sentences

Malta is also on the front line of climate change and at risk of desertification and drought, but neither main party made the issue its priority.

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

Despite years of investigation, neither idea has received strong experimental confirmation.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

But after Dembele equalised from the penalty spot, the contest became a must-not-lose affair for both sides, with neither keeper seriously tested as the tension rose in Hungary and the game drifted towards a shootout.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

She acknowledged that the race and the cage fights are happening on national park land and under the banner of Freedom 250, but said neither is receiving funds or logistical support from her organization.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Like neither of them believed I could possibly be serious.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

Related Words

• none
• nothing