Definition Synonyms
Definition of both - Reverso English Dictionary
Determiner
1.
languagereferring to two people or things together
- Both students passed the exam.
2.
emphasisemphasizing two people or things are included
- I can speak both languages fluently.
Adjective
groupingtwo items or people considered together
- Both students received awards.
Pronoun
generalrefers to two people or things together already known
- Both were late to the meeting.
Expressions with both
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full force or intensity of an action
He came at me with both barrels during the debate.
using both hands to do something
He caught the ball with both hands..
situation where one can enjoy two different benefits
Living in the city but having a country house is the best of both worlds.
be involved with two opposing groups or opinions at the same time
He has a foot in both camps, supporting both political parties in town.
commit oneself fully and eagerly to an activity or decision
She decided to jump in with both feet and start her own business.
earn or manage money so expenses do not exceed income
It's hard to make both ends meet these days.
scenario where disadvantages of two options are present
Living there gave them the worst of both worlds: high rent and long commutes.
expresses shared feelings or experiences with someone
"I'm so tired today." "You and me both!"
saying contradictory things to different people
Politicians often speak from both sides of the mouth.
enjoy advantages of conflicting situations
She wants to have it both ways, being single and in a relationship.
be attracted to both men and women
She mentioned that she swings both ways.
person making all decisions in a situation
In this project, she acted as both judge and jury.
do too much work and get very tired
She often burns the candle at both ends.
affect two opposing sides equally
The rule cuts both ways, impacting both teams in the game.
attack or criticize with full force or energy
The coach gave both barrels to the team after the loss.
exist in a mutual relationship
Respect should go both ways in a friendship.
act to gain advantage from opposing sides
He tried to play both sides in the negotiation.
support or work for two opposing groups
She decided to play for both teams in the negotiation.
summon up courage before a difficult or dangerous action
She took her courage in both hands before speaking.
desire to benefit from two opposite things at once
You can't want it both ways in this argument.
have reciprocal effects or mutual benefits
Trust in a relationship must work both ways.
support or have interest in both sides
He tends to bat for both sides in political debates.
manipulate two opposing sides to gain advantage
He tried to play both ends against the middle in the negotiation.
maintain involvement with two opposing groups
She tends to straddle both camps in political debates.
Origin of both
Old Norse, báðir (both)
Terms with both included in their meaning
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physical movement
move quickly using feet with both feet off ground
location
both within and beyond a place or area
position
located or existing on both sides of something
school meeting
involving both parents and teachers working together
all ages
suitable for families, including both children and adults
feedback
including both positive and negative feedback
location
in the position at both ends of something
season period
time including both autumn and winter seasons
movement
in both directions repeatedly
animal behavior
a four-legged animal kicking both hind legs upward at once
travel method
using both land and water routes for travel or transport
dice games
result of rolling two dice and both show six
both sides
considering all possible outcomes or directions
sports result
finish with both sides having the same score
youth
children of both genders collectively
emotion
feel both positive and negative emotions
home
paint designed for both protection and decoration of a house
holistic
involving both physical and mental aspects
explaining showing
using both language and images to explain or show something
books stories
using both written language and visual images together
body
intertwine the fingers of both hands with each other
scope
covering both nearby and distant areas
distance
in both nearby and distant places
viewing device
two connected telescopes for viewing distant objects with both eyes
Examples of both in a sentence
Both brothers attended the reunion. Both options are equally good. Both of them were late to the meeting. Both options are equally viable. Both teams played exceptionally well. Both arrived exactly on time.
I spoke to both before making my decision.
View all translations of both
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:les deux, tous les deux, ...
- German:beide, ...
- Italian:entrambi, ambedue, ...
- Spanish:ambos, ...
- Portuguese:ambos, os dois, ...
- Chinese:两者都, 两项, ...
- Japanese:両方の, 双方の, ...
- Arabic:كِلا, كِلَا, ...
- Hebrew:שְׁנֵי, שְׁנֵי, ...
- Russian:оба, ...
- Ukrainian:обидва, обидві, ...
- Hindi:दोनों, उभय, ...
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