either
either Lexical Profile
either Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
One or the other of two people, things, or possibilities.
"You can park on either side of the street during the weekend."
Each of two; both (especially when referring to opposite sides or ends).
"Tall oak trees lined either bank of the quiet river."
• adverb
Likewise; also; any more than the other (used after negative statements to indicate similarity or agreement).
"If you do not attend the reception, I will not go either."
• conjunction
Used before the first of two (or occasionally more) alternatives that are linked by 'or', indicating a mutually exclusive choice or possibility.
"You can either submit the assignment online or hand it in during class tomorrow."
• pronoun
One or the other of two people or things.
"We have two afternoon flights available, and either would get you there in time."
Word Nuance & Usage
Strictly speaking, 'either' refers to a choice between two items, whereas 'any' is preferred for three or more. As a pronoun or determiner, it takes a singular verb (e.g., 'either option is acceptable'), though in correlative constructions ('either... or...'), the verb agrees in number with the closer subject.
• Rhymes for either
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'ǣghwæther' (later 'ǣgther'), meaning 'each of two', a compound of 'ā' (always), 'ge-' (a collective prefix), and 'hwæther' (which of two).