meanwhile

B1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈmiːnwaɪl/ See IPA manual

Freq #3585

Meanings

1

adv
During the time between two events; in the time being.

Dinner will be ready soon; meanwhile, please sit down.
2

adv
At the same time, often in a different place or situation.

There was a party downstairs. Meanwhile, I was reading a book.
3

adv
Used to compare or contrast with something already mentioned.

Some songs on the album are beautiful. Meanwhile, others are forgettable.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adv · during the time between two... in the meantimemeantime

3 adv · used to compare or contrast... on the other hand

Etymology

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.

menewhile Middle English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# meanwhile

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** adv
**IPA (US):** /ˈmiːnwaɪl/
**Frequency rank:** 3585

## Meanings
1. During the time between two events; in the time being.
2. At the same time, often in a different place or situation.
3. Used to compare or contrast with something already mentioned.

## Examples
- Dinner will be ready soon; meanwhile, please sit down.
- There was a party downstairs. Meanwhile, I was reading a book.
- Some songs on the album are beautiful. Meanwhile, others are forgettable.

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: menewhile

## Etymology
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.

## AI Etymology
Meanwhile comes 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. In present-day English its meanings include during the time between two events; in the time being, at the same time, often in a different place or situation, and used to compare or contrast with something already mentioned.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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