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English dictionary

each Meaning & Definition

/iːt͡ʃ/

What Does Each Mean?

Each is used as a determiner meaning All; every; qualifying a singular noun, indicating all examples of the thing so named seen as individual or separate items (compare every). As an adverb, it means For one; apiece; per. As a pronoun, it means Every one/thing individually or one by one.

Each: Key Facts

Part of speechdeterminer, adverb, pronoun, noun
Pronunciation/iːt͡ʃ/
Synonymsapiece, for each one and from each one
Pluraleaches

Each Definition (Determiner)

  1. All; every; qualifying a singular noun, indicating all examples of the thing so named seen as individual or separate items (compare every).

    Make sure you wash each bowl well.

Each as an Adverb

  1. For one; apiece; per.

    The apples cost 50 cents each.

  2. Individually; separately; used in a sentence with a plural subject to indicate that the action or state described by the verb applies to all members of the described group individually, rather than collectively to the entire group.

    We ordered half a chicken each, but we each got a whole one.

Each as a Pronoun

  1. Every one/thing individually or one by one.

    I'm going to give each of you a chance to win.

Each as a Noun

  1. An individual item: the least quantitative unit in a grouping.

Noun

  1. (operations) An individual item: the least quantitative unit in a grouping.

Pronoun

  1. Every one; every thing.

    From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

Synonyms of Each

Each synonyms and antonyms →

Each in a Sentence

Make sure you wash each bowl well.

The sun comes up each morning and sets each night.

The apples cost 50 cents each.

We ordered half a chicken each, but we each got a whole one.

You are each right in a different way.

There are three of us and we have five dollars each, so that means we've got 15 dollars.

The apartments each boast central heating.

I'm going to give each of you a chance to win.

From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

Word Forms & Grammar

each

each (not comparable)

each (plural eaches)

Words That Rhyme With Each

Origin of Each

Origin 1: From Middle English ech, eche, elche, ilch, from Old English ǣlċ, contraction of ǣġhwelċ. Comparable to aye + alike.

Origin 2: Compare Scots ilk, elk (“each, every”), Saterland Frisian älk (“each”), West Frisian elk, elts (“each”), Dutch elk (“each”), Low German elk, ellik (“each”), German Low German elk, elke (“each, every”), German jeglicher (“any”). By surface analysis, Old English ā +‎ which.

Quick Answers About Each

Is each a determiner or an adverb?

Each is mainly used as a determiner, but it can also be used as an adverb, a pronoun and a noun.

What is another word for each?

Words with a similar meaning to each include apiece, for each one and from each one. See the full list of each synonyms and antonyms.

What is the plural of each?

The plural of each is eaches.