Definition and meaning of English word "or"
or
/ɔːr/
Meaning
ConjunctionConnects at least two alternative words, phrases, clauses, sentences, etc., each of which could make a passage true.
How to use
In formal writing, 'or' is often used to connect two or more alternatives in a list, such as 'I'd like to go to the beach or the park.' However, in informal writing, it's common to use 'or' to connect two or more options in a sentence, such as 'Do you want to go to the movies or stay home?' One common learner mistake is using 'or' instead of 'either' to connect two or more alternatives, as in 'I'd like to go to the beach either the park or the beach.'
🇬🇧 English
or
Example
Do you want tea or coffee
I like reading or writing
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationSynonyms
Common phrases
- or else— used to indicate a consequence of not doing something
- or so— used to indicate an approximate amount or time
- or that— used to indicate a consequence of doing something
- or something— used to indicate a vague or unspecified thing
- or other— used to indicate a category or group
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #32 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "or" mean?▼
The English word "or" means "or" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "or"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "or" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "or"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Do you want tea or coffee" (which translates as "or").
More Connectors & Prepositions words
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