What does "each" mean?

1. (every one) every person or thing in a group when you do not name them again. 2. (for one / apiece) to or for every person or thing in a group.

How do you use "each"?

Often used in the pattern 'each of' followed by a plural noun or pronoun. Usually placed after the noun or the amount it refers to.

each

pron. · adv.

US //ˈitʃ// UK //ˈiːtʃ// each

1 every one (pron.)
A2 Elementary

every person or thing in a group when you do not name them again.

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

Example

There were five apples and I gave each of the children one.

Example

The director interviewed ten candidates and gave each a fair opportunity to demonstrate their technical proficiency.

Usage

Often used in the pattern 'each of' followed by a plural noun or pronoun.
- each one
- everyone
2 for one / apiece (adv.)
B1 Intermediate

to or for every person or thing in a group.

used after a noun or at the end of a sentence to indicate a price or amount for every individual item.

Example

The tickets for the cinema cost ten dollars each.

Example

The vintage postcards were sold for five pounds each, regardless of their condition or rarity.

Usage

Usually placed after the noun or the amount it refers to.
- apiece
- per item

Origin

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.