WordGarden.ioboth
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈəʊθ/
US
- /ˈboʊθ/
Meanings
Determiner
the two people or things together
Pronoun
the two people or things already mentioned
Adverb
used to say that two people or things alike share an action or quality
Conjunction
used with and to emphasize that each of two listed items is included
Beyond the definition
"Both" signals that two people or things are being included together. It gives equal status to each member of a pair, so nothing is left out. You might say, "At brunch you can order tea and coffee, and I'd like both, please!" Sometimes it means something applies to two people at once: "They both enjoyed the movie." Think of it as a small word that emphasizes completeness.
The word "both" carries a surprising amount of weight in language. At its core, it refers to two—including both items, people, or ideas in the same frame. It's not just about counting; it's about saying the pair is complete.
You might use "both" to express a preference for two things simultaneously: "I want both the red shoes and the blue ones." It is also perfect for indicating shared characteristics: "They both have brown hair." While "both" focuses on inclusion, it can be used in conditional statements to show that two options are possible: "You can go to the park or stay home; actually, you can do both if you manage your time well!"
Grammatically, "both" often works in the correlative frame both...and...: "Both John and Mary are coming to the party," and "You need both a passport and a visa to travel abroad." It can also stand alone: "Both are ready." It is important to distinguish "both" from "either" (one or the other) and "neither" (not one and not the other). While "both" emphasizes the duo, those words help describe alternative choices.
Historically, the word comes from Old English roots meaning "twofold." While its usage seems straightforward today, understanding how it emphasizes duality—the inclusion of two together—is key to mastering this versatile little word. So next time you find yourself discussing a pair, remember how it helps you include and connect both sides.
Examples
- 1
Two objects
Both doors were locked.
- 2
Family members
Both my parents still work full time.
- 3
Shared experience
Both of us missed the bus.
- Pattern
both of + us/them/you is very common
- 4
Shared ability
They both speak Spanish.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Object pronoun
I liked them both.
- 6
Two abilities
She can both sing and play the piano.
- Patternboth ... and ...
links two matching ideas
- 7
Mixed qualities
The trip was both exciting and exhausting.
- 8
Shared decision
We have both agreed to wait until Monday.
- 9
Polite thanks
Thanks for inviting us both.
- 10
Partial negation
They are not both wrong.
- Patternnot both
one may be right, but not both
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- bothadjective