meanwhile
//ˈmiːnwaɪl//
Forms
- Plural
- meanwhiles
Definitions
1.The time between two events.
- In the meanwhile, the surveyors carried the line three miles, which was no contemptible day's work, considering how cruelly they were entangled with briers and gallbushes.
1.During the time that something is happening, often specifically in a different place.
- There was a party going on downstairs. Meanwhile, I was reading a book.
2.During an intervening time; from now until a future time.
- We’re going on holiday next month; meanwhile, keep working on the project.
3.In contrast to aspects previously mentioned.
- Some songs on the album are beautiful. Meanwhile, others are quite forgettable.
- When you are in the studio you don’t have anybody to feed off of, meanwhile when you are playing live you interact with people and you feel the energy in the room.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2081
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Synonyms
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.