English Reference

Word

each

US/ˈitʃ/

UK/ˈiːtʃ/

Definitions

01every individual one

A1 · Beginner

det. every one of two or more people or things, thought of separately.

det. used to refer to every member of a group of two or more, considered individually. It precedes a singular noun.

“Each student in the class has their own desk.”

“Each participant was asked to sign a waiver before the expedition commenced, ensuring that everyone understood the inherent risks.”

Pitfall

Each students received a book.

Each student received a book.

The determiner 'each' must be followed by a singular noun, even though it refers to a group.

Synonyms

everyindividual

Antonyms

all

02every one

A2 · Elementary

pron. every person or thing in a group, used without a noun following it.

pron. functions as the head of a noun phrase to refer to every individual in a previously mentioned group.

“There were five apples, and each was ripe and sweet.”

“The committee reviewed twelve applications, and while each had its merits, only two candidates were selected for the final interview.”

Synonyms

each oneevery one

03apiece or per item

B1 · Intermediate

adv. for every one; the price or amount for one single item.

adv. used after a noun or at the end of a phrase to indicate a price, amount, or value for every individual unit.

“The tickets for the cinema cost ten dollars each.”

“The vintage stamps were valued at five hundred pounds each, reflecting their rarity and pristine condition.”

Synonyms

apieceperindividually

Antonyms

collectively

Confusables

each vs every

Each focuses on individual members of a group one by one, while every views the group as a collective whole.

RememberEach is for individuals; Every is for the entire group.

Etymology

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

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Grammar

Each vs Every

Domain

Philosophy

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
Frequency
Very common
Level
A1 · BeginnerOxford
Updated

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