det
neither
NEYE-thuh
det
1
Not one and not the other, of two things.
"Neither option really appeals to me."
conj
1
Used with "nor" to link two negative alternatives.
"She neither called nor emailed to explain."
adv
1
Also not; used to agree with a preceding negative statement.
""I don't like coffee." "Neither do I.""
How to Use Neither
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe negative match to "either" — not this one and not that one.
Common mistake
Pair "neither" with "nor," not "or" — say "neither tea nor coffee," not "neither tea or coffee." Also, "neither" takes a singular verb: "neither of them is ready."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
neither...nor
neither of them
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_____ option really appeals to me.
Etymology
From Middle English neiþer, reshaped under the influence of "either" from an earlier form meaning "not whether/which of the two."