meanwhile

CEFRB1

/ˈmiːnwaɪl/

adverb · noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adverb

    During the same period of time; while something else happens.

  2. 02

    adverb

    Extra detail

    During an intervening time; from now until a future time.

Examples

  • Meanwhile, the foolish uncle was sitting in the living room.

  • Leave the cake to cool completely. Meanwhile

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
4
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /ˈmiːnhwaɪl/

Deep Dive

adverb

Extra meanings

  1. During the time that something is happening, often specifically in a different place.

  2. In contrast to aspects previously mentioned.

noun

Extra meaning

  1. The time between two events.

More examples

In context

  • Meanwhile, a new year began.

  • There was a party going on downstairs. Meanwhile, I was reading a book.

  • We’re going on holiday next month; meanwhile, keep working on the project.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

He was studying for the exam; blank, his friends were playing video games all night.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adverb

From Middle English menewhile, equivalent to mean (“intermediate”) + while. Adverb is by ellipsis from in the mean while, noun being conventionally written as one word after the adjective.