between

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   in between

   two houses with a tree between

2. 2
   adv

   in the interval

   dancing all the dances with little rest between

3. 3
   prep

   In the position or interval that separates (two things), or intermediate in quantity or degree. (See Usage notes below.)

   John stood between Amy and Mary.    Let’s meet between two and three.

4. 4
   prep

   Done together or reciprocally.

   conversation between friends

5. 5
   prep

   Shared in confidence.

   Between you and me, I think the boss is crazy.  Let's keep this between ourselves.

6. 6
   prep

   In transit from (one to the other, or connecting places).

   He's between jobs right now.  The shuttle runs between the town and the airport.

7. 7
   prep

   Combined (by effort or ownership).

   Between us all, we shall succeed.  We've only got £5 between us.

8. 8
   prep

   One of (representing a choice).

   You must choose between him and me.

Etymology

PIE word *dwóh₁ From Middle English betwene, from Old English betwēonum (“between, among”, dative plural, literally “by the two, near both”), from Proto-Germanic *bi- (“be-”) + *twīhnaz (“two each”), corresponding to be- + twain. Cognate with Scots between (“between”), Scots atween (“between”), Gothic 𐍄𐍅𐌴𐌹𐌷𐌽𐌰𐌹 (tweihnai, “two each”), Old English betweoh (“between”), Old English twinn (“double, twofold”). More at betwixt, twin. More distantly related to Ancient Greek διά (diá, “through, across, by, over”) whence English dia- (“through, across, between”). For the meaning development also compar…