neither definition - Dictionary

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neither

nei·ther [ nər, nər ] CORE MEANING: a negative grammatical word that introduces or connects two people, things, or situations, both of which are excluded

(adj) Neither shirt looks good on you.

(pron) Neither of the boys wants to go.

(pron) "Would you like pork or fish?" "Neither, thank you."

(conj) Neither my father nor my mother commented.

Definition:

1. adjective excludes both: not one or the other

(adj) Neither machine works.

(pron) I like neither of them.

(pron) Neither is true.

2. conj introduces alternatives: used preceding two alternatives joined by "nor" to indicate that both did not happen or are not true

Neither my boss nor his wife can cook.

3. adverb indicates that also excluded: used to indicate a second person or thing, or group of people or things, that can also be included in a negative statement just made, or that the previous negative statement ought to apply in the second case also

"We've never been to Paris." "Neither have I."

She doesn't want to go? Me neither!

She can't play today, and neither can her brother.

4. adverb introduces modification of negative: used in a statement that indicates a modification or partial contradiction of a previous negative statement

You won't find it hot, but neither will you be freezing cold.

[12th century. Alteration (influenced by either) of Old English nawÞer, contraction of nāhwæÞer< nā "not" + hwæþer "which of two"]

Word Usage


	Neither meaning none: Do not substitute neither for the pronoun none in the sense "not one of several," as in Neither of these (four) options has any appeal. Say instead: None [or Not one] of these (four) options has any appeal. When you use neither as a conjunction, follow it with nor, not or, and make the verb agree with the nearest noun: Neither rain nor snow [not or snow] is [not are] going to stop mail delivery.