Meanwhile: meaning, definitions and examples
⏳
meanwhile
[ ˈmiːnˌwaɪl ]
in the meantime
At the same time, during this time; in the interim.
Synonyms
in the interim, in the meantime, meanwhilst
Examples of usage
- Meanwhile, I will work on the report.
- She was busy with her studies; meanwhile, he was preparing for the exam.
- Meanwhile, the situation worsened.
Translations
Translations of the word "meanwhile" in other languages:
🇵🇹 enquanto isso
🇮🇳 इस बीच
🇩🇪 inzwischen
🇮🇩 sementara itu
🇺🇦 тим часом
🇵🇱 tymczasem
🇯🇵 その間に
🇫🇷 pendant ce temps
🇪🇸 mientras tanto
🇹🇷 bu arada
🇰🇷 그러는 동안
🇸🇦 في هذه الأثناء
🇨🇿 mezitím
🇸🇰 medzitým
🇨🇳 与此同时
🇸🇮 medtem
🇮🇸 á meðan
🇰🇿 осы кезде
🇬🇪 ამასობაში
🇦🇿 bu arada
🇲🇽 mientras tanto
Word origin
The word 'meanwhile' originated in the late 14th century, derived from the Middle English 'meane while', which meant 'interim, period of time'. The word 'meanwhile' combines 'mean', which at that time meant 'middle', and 'while', referring to a period of time. Over the centuries, the word has retained its original meaning of 'in the meantime' or 'during this time'.
See also: demean, demeaning, mean, meaningless, meanly, meanness, means, meant, meantime, meanwhilst.