determiner / pronoun / conjunction / adverb
neither
NEE-ther/ˈniːðər/
Not one and not the other of two alternatives.
He raises his palms to show that he wants neither dish.
Etymology
The negative combines with “which of two,” the ancestor of whether. Instead of selecting one alternative, neither rejects both: not this one and not the other.
In context
difference in opinion especially if it be in things indifferent sometimes the quarrel Between Two Princes is to decide which of them shall dispossess a third of his dominions where neither of them pretend to any right
More examples
- I try both keys, but neither fits the lock.
- The room has neither windows nor a fan.
- She doesn't drink coffee, and neither do I.
Similar words
- none
- Refers to no members, not specifically two alternatives.