and/or

American  

[and-awr] / ˈændˈɔr /

conjunction

1. (used to imply that either or both of the things mentioned may be affected or involved).

   insurance covering fire and/or wind damage.

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and/or British  

conjunction

1. (coordinating) used to join terms when either one or the other or both is indicated

   passports and/or other means of identification

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and/or Idioms  

1. Both or either of two options. For example, His use of copyrighted material shows that the writer is careless and/or dishonest. This idiom originated in legal terminology of the mid-1800s.

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Usage

The combination and/or is used primarily in business and legal writing: All dwellings and/or other structures on the property are included in the contract. Because of these business and legal associations, some object to the use of this combination in general writing, where it occasionally occurs: She spends much of her leisure time entertaining and/or traveling. In such writing, either and or or is usually adequate. If a greater distinction is needed, another phrasing is available: Would you like cream or sugar, or both?

Many people think that and/or is only acceptable in legal and commercial contexts. In other contexts, it is better to use or both: some alcoholics lose their jobs or their driving licences or both (not their jobs and/or their driving licences )

Example Sentences

Davis attended virtual loan-closing meetings wearing wigs, makeup and/or a head covering to disguise himself as players seeking loans, according to court documents.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

There’s not enough and/or you have to play Whac-A-Mole to find the switches for every lamp.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

It’s “a higher quality asset materially under-earning with self-help and/or acquisition by a strategic acquirer as potential catalysts,” write Wolfe analysts.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

As you mention, you may need to maintain flexibility through part-time work and/or a more conservative withdrawal strategy.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

“Leave-in conditioner and/or mousse. I didn’t know if you wanted to go for the slick look or big curls.”

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali