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View synonyms for

meantime

[ meen-tahym ]

noun

  1. the intervening time: times:

    The party is Tuesday, but in the meantime I have to shop and prepare the food.



adverb

meantime

/ ˈ³¾¾±Ë²ÔËŒ³Ù²¹Éª³¾ /

noun

  1. the intervening time or period, as between events (esp in the phrase in the meantime )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. another word for meanwhile
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of meantime1

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; mean 3, time
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Compare Meanings

How does meantime compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In the meantime, Anaheim could cash in on a nine-figure land sale, then generate property taxes and sales taxes from the stadium site.

From

In the meantime, here's our week 31 team of the week for some short-term inspiration.

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In the meantime, people can visit Black Image Center for its signature community co-working series until the space closes on April 10.

From

In the meantime, there are other projects on the horizon for Bacon — one that has him particularly excited is “Family Movie,†which he and Sedgwick have been developing for their family to do together.

From

Submit your theories by noon pacific on Friday, April 4, and in the meantime, catch up with all of our coverage of “The White Lotus.â€

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More About Meantime

What doesÌýmeantime mean?

Meantime means the period of time between two events—between the current time and the time when something else happens.

This sense of the word is especially used in the phrase in the meantime, as in The power will come back on soon, so let’s just enjoy the quiet in the meantime.Ìý

The word meanwhile can also be used as a noun to mean the same thing as meantime, but this is much less common.

Meanwhile is much more commonly used as an adverb meaning in or during the time between the current time and the time when something else happens, as in Our guests will arrive in about an hour—meanwhile, let’s get the food ready. Meanwhile can also mean at the same time, as in When I got to my apartment, I realized I had forgotten my key—meanwhile, everyone was already hiding inside for my surprise party.Ìý

Meantime can also be used as an adverb in both of these ways, but it is much more commonly used as a noun.

Example: Our guests won’t arrive for another several hours, so I’m going to take a nap in the meantime.

Where doesÌýmeantime come from?

The first records of meantime come from the 1300s. The mean in meantime is the sense of the word that means “occupying a middle position or an intermediate place.â€

Meantime is often used in discussions that involve things happening or being done while waiting for something else to happen. It’s also commonly used in descriptions of events happening at the same time.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for meantime?

What are some words that share a root or word element with meantime?Ìý

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What are some words that often get used in discussing meantime?

How isÌýmeantime used in real life?

Meantime is a very common word that can be used in all kinds of contexts. It’s especially used in the phrase in the meantime.Ìý

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Try usingÌýmeantime!

Is meantime used correctly in the following sentence?Ìý

My younger sister just got engaged—meantime, I can’t even get a date!

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