Definition of neither

Short definition: The word neither is used to say that two choices are both rejected or not true, often appearing when people compare options and want to clearly show that none of them applies or feels right in a given situation.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word neither? The word neither is used to talk about two options when both are negative, false, or not chosen. You will often see it in sentences that reject or exclude both possibilities. It can act as a determiner, a pronoun, a conjunction, or an adverb depending on how the word neither is used. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, so it feels clear, human, and easy to use correctly.

Forms: neither
Related: nor conj., either det.
Syllable: nei-ther

1. (Determiner) Used before a noun to say that not one or the other of two things is true or chosen.

   Neither is used before a singular noun when talking about two options and making it clear that both are excluded or rejected.

   Neither option felt right to him after carefully thinking through the risks and long term consequences.
   She realized that neither answer fully explained what had really happened that night.
   Neither solution worked well enough to solve the problem completely.

   Synonyms: not either, not one nor the other, none of the two, both rejected, zero of two, no option, neither one, neither choice, neither side, neither item, neither option selected, neither case
   Antonyms: either, one of the two, at least one, one option, one side, one choice, one item, one case, selected option, chosen one, affirmative choice, positive selection

2. (Pronoun) Used alone to refer to none of two people or things.

   As a pronoun, neither replaces a noun and refers to two things or people, saying that none of them is true, correct, or acceptable.

   She offered two explanations, but neither made complete sense after hearing the details.
   They tried both routes, yet neither got them there on time.
   He asked two friends for advice, but neither agreed on the best choice.

   Synonyms: none of the two, not either one, neither option, zero choice, neither person, neither thing, no one of two, neither side, neither answer, neither result, neither outcome, neither selection
   Antonyms: either one, one of them, someone, one choice, one answer, selected one, chosen one, one side, one result, one option, one person, affirmative option

3. (Conjunction) Used with nor to join two negative ideas.

   Neither is commonly paired with nor to connect two negative statements, showing that both are not true or not happening.

   Neither he nor his team understood how the error had happened so quickly.
   Neither the rain nor the cold stopped them from finishing the job.
   Neither stress nor fear could change her decision in the end.

   Synonyms: not this nor that, no both, none plus none, double negative link, neither and nor pairing, negative connector, exclusion link, joint negative, paired denial, combined rejection, negative joiner, exclusion conjunction
   Antonyms: both and, either or, inclusive link, positive connector, combined inclusion, joint acceptance, additive link, inclusive pairing, and also, plus both, combined choice, affirmative connector

4. (Adverb) Used to agree with a negative statement.

   As an adverb, neither is used after a negative sentence to say that the same negative situation applies to another person or thing.

   He does not like coffee, and I do not either, neither.
   She was not invited, and neither was her colleague.
   They have not finished the work, and neither have we.

   Synonyms: also not, likewise not, same negative, too not, similarly not, equally not, negative agreement, shared negative, same situation, same result, same case, negative echo
   Antonyms: too, also, as well, likewise, similarly, positive agreement, same positive, affirmative echo, same success, same approval, matching yes, shared positive