Meantime Meaning
/ˈmiːntaɪm/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe time spent waiting for another event; time in between.
advDuring the interval; meanwhile.
Sentence Examples
In the meantime, she began to cry.
In the meantime, he went to sleep.
I'm changing my email address but for the meantime you can use the old one.
CEFR Practice Quiz
I will finish my work soon; in the ____, please wait in the lobby.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The doctor will see you shortly in the ____, please wait in the reception area.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English menetime, equivalent to mean + time. Adverb is by ellipsis from in the meantime.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Meantime Pope Urban II convoked two councils, one after another."
— 1919, Boris Sidis, The Source and Aim of Human Progress:
"Lunch will be in twenty minutes. Meantime: I have[…]"
— 1934, Rex Stout, Fer-de-Lance, Bantam edition, published 1992, →ISBN, page 97:
"Meantime, the train went on to Brighton without further incident. No small stir was caused by its arrival with No. 61 at its head, resplendent with "East London Line Special" head boards, which at once caught the eye of William Stroudley, who was observing the traffic working from his office window."
— 1951 May, J. Pelham Maitland, “A Memorable Run by a Brighton "Terrier"”, in Railway Magazine, page 347:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
I will finish my work soon; in the ____, please wait in the lobby.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The doctor will see you shortly in the ____, please wait in the reception area.