: not one or the other of two people or things
Neither answer is correct. [=both answers are wrong]
"Which answer is correct?" "Neither one."
Neither sweater fits her.
: not the one and not the other of two people or things
Neither (of the two answers) is correct.
"Which one do you want?" "Neither, thanks."
Neither of them dances well.
There are two flashlights, neither of which works.
1
—used with nor to indicate two or more people, things, actions, etc., about which something is not true
Neither my wife nor I can attend the party.
Neither wood nor plastic conducts heat like metal does.
I neither know nor care.
I'm neither happy nor sad.
She eats neither meat nor cheese. [=(more commonly) she does not eat meat or cheese]
Note: When neither and nor are used to join two subjects, the verb should agree with the subject that is closer to it.
2
: also not
—used after a negative statement
"I don't believe his story." "Neither do I." [=I also do not believe his story]
They didn't believe his story, and neither did I.
I did not believe his story, but neither did I believe hers.
Cite this Entry
“Neither.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/neither. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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