or*/*/*/

[ɔː]

conjunction

1) showing possibilities or choices used for connecting possibilities or choices. In a list, ‘or' is usually used only before the last possibility or choice

Which colour do you want – red, green, yellow, or blue?[/ex]

He's probably at lunch or in a meeting.[/ex]

‘When will you get the results?' ‘ Either tomorrow or the day after.'[/ex]

The jury must decide whether the prisoner is guilty or not.[/ex]

2) and not used for including someone or something else in a negative statement

She's had nothing to eat or drink all day.[/ex]

I never had any help or advice from my parents.[/ex]

3) when amounts are not exact used between two similar numbers or before ‘so' for showing that you do not know what the exact number is

I can photocopy your notes. It'll only take a minute or two.[/ex]

They spent an hour or so searching for the missing file.[/ex]

4) in warnings, threats, or advice used for saying what will happen if someone does not do something

The soldiers told everyone to leave or they would be shot.[/ex]

We must deal with the problem now, or else it will be too late.[/ex]

5) correcting or explaining what you have said used for introducing a comment that corrects or adds more information to what you have just said

The easiest way to get around is by underground, or ‘the tube' as it is known in London.[/ex]