either-or adjective [ before noun ] UK /ˌaɪ.ðərˈɔːr/ /ˌiː.ðərˈɔːr/ US /ˌiː.ðɚˈɔːr/ /ˌaɪ.ðɚˈɔːr/ used to refer to a situation in which there is a choice between two different plans of action, but both together are not possible: It's an either-or situation - we can buy a new car this year or we can go on holiday, but we can't do both.