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View synonyms for

meanwhile

[ meen-hwahyl, -wahyl ]

noun



adverb

  1. in the intervening time; during the interval.
  2. at the same time:

    Meanwhile, the others were back home enjoying themselves.

meanwhile

/ ˈːˌɲɪ /

adverb

  1. during the intervening time or period
  2. at the same time, esp in another place
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. another word for meantime
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of meanwhile1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; mean 3 + while
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Compare Meanings

How does meanwhile compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

India, meanwhile, has been pushing to review and modify the treaty, citing changing needs - from irrigation and drinking water to hydropower - in light of factors like climate change.

From

The UN meanwhile warned that the 52-day Israeli blockade had deprived Gaza's 2.1 million population of "the basic necessities for human survival".

From

Trump, meanwhile, is opposing Maine on conservative ideological grounds using federal funding as the cudgel to prevail.

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Nigel, meanwhile, speaks more openly about the impact it had on them both, saying £1m was spent on the legal battles.

From

Our ceremonies, meanwhile, were held in ornate buildings featuring marble and spires and headed up by men in robes, not a youth pastor with frosted tips and cargo shorts.

From

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More About Meanwhile

doesmeanwhile mean?

Meanwhile means in or during the time between the current time and the time when something else happens, as in Our guests will arrive in about an hour—meanwhile, let’s get the food ready.

It can also mean at the same time, as in When I got to my apartment, I realized I had forgotten my key—meanwhile, everyone was already hiding inside for my surprise party.

Both of these senses of meanwhile are adverbs. As an adverb, meanwhile is often used at the beginning of a sentence to connect the statement that follows with something that was just mentioned.

The word meantime can also be used as an adverb in the same ways that meanwhile is, but meanwhile is much more commonly as an adverb.

Meanwhile can also be used as a noun meaning the period of time between two events, as in The power will come back on soon, so let’s just enjoy the quiet in the meanwhile. The word meantime is much more commonly used in this way.

Example: Mix the batter; meanwhile, preheat the oven.

Where doesmeanwhile come from?

The first records of meanwhile come from the 1300s. The mean in meanwhile is the sense of the word that means “occupying a middle position or an intermediate place.” When used as a noun, while means “a period or interval of time.”

Meanwhile is often used in discussions that involve things happening or being done while waiting for something else to happen. It’s also commonly used in descriptions of events happening at the same time. For example, ѱ𲹲Էɳ󾱱… might be used as a caption in a comic or graphic novel to show that something is happening at the same time as what was shown in the previous panel. This is often used for comedic effect.

The expression meanwhile, back at the ranch is used as a humorous transition from one topic or discussion to another. It’s a reference to TV Westerns returning to the main setting (the ranch) to show what’s happening there after having shown action elsewhere.

Did you know ... ?

are some synonyms for meanwhile?

are some words that share a root or word element with meanwhile?

are some words that often get used in discussing meanwhile?

How ismeanwhile used in real life?

Meanwhile is a very common word that can be used in all kinds of contexts. It’s usually used at the beginning of a sentence.

Try usingmeanwhile!

Is meanwhile used correctly in the following sentence?

My younger sister just got engaged—meanwhile, I can’t even get a date!

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