both

UK /bəʊθ/ US [boʊθ]

conj 2det 1pron 1name 1

Definitions

det

Each of the two; one and the other; referring to two individuals or items.

Both (the/my) children are such dolls.

Which one do you need? ―I need both of them.

pron

Each of the two, or of the two kinds.

Did you want this one or that one? ―Give me both.

They were both here.

conj

Including both of (used with and).

I (can) both sing and dance.

Both you and I are students.

Including all of (used with and).

[…] having much aduantage both in number, valure, and forepreparation […]

Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound.

Collocations

ADJ.

burned, cultivated, formal, informal, lost, modern, northern, old

They lost both their house and their savings in the fire.

VERB + BOTH

buttered, don't, drink, give, got, influenced, like, make

She got both jobs after interviewing at the companies last week.

BOTH + NOUN

buildings, cats, cheeks, children, dogs, environment, girls, home

Both children were excited to open their presents on Christmas morning.

PREP.

down, in, on

She decided to focus on both her career and her family at the same time.

ADV.

already, once

They had both already decided to leave before the meeting even started.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

best of both worlds

A combination of two seemingly contradictory benefits.

That movie was both hilarious and touching; it was the best of both worlds.

play both sides against the middle

To manipulate opponents or competitors in a manner which benefits the manipulator.

Some of the lesser Democrats, especially in the remoter reaches of the Bible country, have the same yearning, but they are not as numerous as the Republicans, all of whom have been

with both hands

Willingly; readily.

worst of both worlds

A solution or scenario which combines the disadvantages of two opposed prior solutions, often having been intended to combine their benefits instead.

The Worst of Both Worlds: Violating Rights without Gaining Security

have it both ways

Synonym of have one's cake and eat it too.

Example Bank

Both (the/my) children are such dolls.

Wiktionary

Which one do you need? ―I need both of them.

Wiktionary

Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.

Wiktionary

Did you want this one or that one? ―Give me both.

Wiktionary

They were both here.

Wiktionary

I've already lost both (of) my parents.

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, both is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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