What does both mean?
'Both' is one of the most frequently used function words in English, serving as a determiner and a pronoun to refer to two people or things considered together. As a determiner, it precedes a noun directly or after an article or possessive ('both the books,' 'both my hands'), indicating that whatever is said applies equally to each item of the pair. As a pronoun, it stands alone ('both are welcome') or follows a subject for emphasis ('we both knew'). It also anchors the correlative conjunction pattern 'both … and …,' linking two parallel elements: 'She is both smart and kind.' A key rule governs its use: 'both' applies strictly to pairs — with three or more items, 'all' replaces it. Its opposite is 'neither.' The word descends from Old Norse 'báðir,' introduced during the Viking Age, and belongs to an ancient family of Indo-European terms for duality that includes Greek 'ampho-' (as in 'amphibian'). Simple, ancient, and indispensable, it remains essential to precise everyday expression.
Used before a noun phrase to indicate that two specified people or things are included equally.
"Both answers were correct."
When combined with an article or possessive, 'both' precedes it: 'both the houses,' 'both her parents.'
Each of the two; the two together.
"Both of them passed the exam."
In subject position, 'both' often follows the verb or auxiliary for emphasis: 'They have both finished.'
English borrowed 'both' from the Vikings — and its closest ancient relatives include Latin 'ambo' and Greek 'amphoteros,' the root of 'amphibian.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of both
The word comes from Old Norse 'báðir,' adopted into English during the Viking settlements of the early medieval period. It ultimately derives from Proto-Germanic roots denoting twoness, making it a distant relative of Greek 'amphoteros' and Latin 'ambo,' both meaning 'both' — the former giving us 'amphibian' (life on both land and water). It has been a fixture of English since the earliest Middle English texts.
How both is actually used
'Both' always refers to exactly two items; for three or more, 'all' is required. It commonly appears in the correlative construction 'both … and …,' which joins two parallel elements.
Easily confused with both
'Booth' is a noun meaning a small enclosed stall or compartment, whereas 'both' refers to two people or things taken together.