English Explanatory Dictionary

meanwhile

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The time between two events.
adv
  1. During the time that something is happening, often specifically in a different place.
  2. During an intervening time; from now until a future time.
  3. In contrast to aspects previously mentioned.

Pronunciation

/ˈmiːnwaɪl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-meanwhile.wav /ˈmiːnhwaɪl/

Word forms

meanwhile meanwhiles

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.

Synonyms

between-time meantime in the meantime meanwhilst the while until then for now at the same time on the other hand

Derived words

in the meanwhile meanwhile garden meanwhile site meanwhile space meanwhile use
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