neither
neither Lexical Profile
neither Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Not the one nor the other of two people or things; not either.
"Neither candidate was able to secure a clear majority in the first round of voting."
• adverb
Used before the first of two or more alternatives (typically followed by 'nor') to indicate that none of them is true or applicable.
"The proposed schedule is neither practical nor cost-effective for the department."
Also not; not either (used to introduce a further negative statement).
"She did not attend the conference, and neither did her research partner."
• pronoun
Not the one nor the other of two people or things previously mentioned.
"We reviewed both proposals carefully, but neither met the strict safety requirements."
• conjunction
Not either; nor (used to introduce a negative clause that parallels a preceding negative statement).
"I have not read the report yet, neither have I spoken with the committee chair."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as a pronoun or determiner, 'neither' strictly refers to two items and takes a singular verb in formal writing (e.g., 'Neither option is acceptable'). In correlative constructions ('neither... nor...'), the verb agrees in number with the subject closer to it.
• Rhymes for neither
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'neither', altered from Old English 'nahwæther' (literally 'not whether of two') under the influence of 'either'.