Binomials - word pairs

 In language studies, a pair of words (for example, loud and clear) conventionally linked by a conjunction (usually and) or a preposition is called a binomial, or a binomial pair.

When the word order of the pair is fixed, the binomial is said to be irreversible.

A similar construction involving three nouns or adjectives (bell, book, and candle; calm, cool, and collected) is called a trinomial.

Common Examples of Binomials

There are many examples of binomials in the English language. The following examples are considered irreversible binomials, because the order of each pair is fixed.

• aches and pains
• bigger and better
• bread and butter
• cease and desist
• checks and balances
• dead or alive
• dos and don'ts
• fair and square
• goods and services
• ham and eggs
• high and low
• hugs and kisses
• knife and fork
• life and death
• nuts and bolts
• old and gray
• pins and needles
• pots and pans
• rags to riches
• rise and fall
• rise and shine