meanwhile
MEEN-wyl
Meanwhile (adv) means At the same time, often in a different place or context. Example: “The kids were watching cartoons; meanwhile, their parents were prepping dinner.”
adv
1
At the same time, often in a different place or context.
"The kids were watching cartoons; meanwhile, their parents were prepping dinner."
"Meanwhile, back at the office, chaos had broken out."
"There was a party going on downstairs. Meanwhile, I was reading a book."
"I stirred the sauce; meanwhile, my brother laid the table."
How to use meanwhile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA word used to shift the story to something happening at the same time somewhere else.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
meanwhile, back at
meanwhile, in
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like meanwhile.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- meanwhiles
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The kids were watching cartoons; _____, their parents were prepping dinner.
Etymology
From Middle English menewhile, a compound of mean ("intermediate") and while.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for meanwhile
See all rhymes for meanwhile →Frequently asked questions
What does “meanwhile” mean?
The word “meanwhile” means at the same time, often in a different place or context. In plain terms, a word used to shift the story to something happening at the same time somewhere else.
How do you pronounce “meanwhile”?
“Meanwhile” is pronounced MEEN-wyl (/ˈmiːnwaɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “meanwhile” in a sentence?
Here is “meanwhile” used in a sentence: “The kids were watching cartoons; meanwhile, their parents were prepping dinner.”
What part of speech is “meanwhile”?
“Meanwhile” is an adverb.
Where does the word “meanwhile” come from?
The word “meanwhile” comes from Middle English. From Middle English menewhile, a compound of mean ("intermediate") and while.
Is “meanwhile” a common word?
“Meanwhile” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between meanwhile and meantime?
The two are very close in meaning. Meanwhile works alone as an adverb — 'Meanwhile, the guests arrived.' Meantime is most often used in the fixed phrase 'in the meantime', which means the same thing. You can say meanwhile by itself, but meantime usually needs 'in the' in front of it in modern writing.
How do you use meanwhile in a sentence?
Meanwhile usually opens a sentence to show that two things happen at once or to shift the scene: 'She cooked dinner. Meanwhile, the children set the table.' It can also mean 'in the period between now and a future event', as in 'The train leaves at noon; meanwhile, we can get a coffee.'
Is meanwhile formal or informal?
Meanwhile is neutral and works in both formal and informal writing. It appears in essays, news reports, and business documents as easily as in casual conversation. In journalism it often introduces a related development elsewhere — 'Meanwhile, in the north...' — making it a versatile linking word for almost any register.
What can you use instead of meanwhile?
Good alternatives include 'in the meantime', 'at the same time', 'simultaneously', and 'in the interim' for the time sense. To shift focus to another scene or topic, you might use 'elsewhere', 'as this was happening', or 'at that moment'. The best choice depends on whether you mean overlapping time or a change of setting.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include meanwhile:
