meanwhile: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “meanwhile” mean?
The intervening period of time between two events, or during which something else is happening.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The intervening period of time between two events, or during which something else is happening.
A transition word used to indicate a shift in focus to a contrasting or parallel event, situation, or perspective occurring at the same time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core usage. 'Meantime' is a slightly more formal or old-fashioned alternative. In noun use, 'in the meantime' is more common than 'in the meanwhile' in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral. Slightly more common in narrative writing and journalism than in casual speech. 'Meanwhile' often introduces a paragraph shift in narratives.
Frequency
Equally common and standard in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “meanwhile” in a Sentence
Sentence-initial (linking adverb)Sentence-medial, preceded by 'and'Preceded by preposition 'in' (in the meanwhile, as a noun)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meanwhile” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No standard verb use for 'meanwhile')
American English
- (No standard verb use for 'meanwhile')
adverb
British English
- The main team worked on the engine. Meanwhile, a smaller group prepared the prototype's body.
American English
- The bill is in committee. Meanwhile, lobbyists are meeting with senators to discuss amendments.
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjective use for 'meanwhile')
American English
- (No standard adjective use for 'meanwhile')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports and meetings to discuss parallel projects or contrasting market conditions. 'Meanwhile, our competitors launched a new product.'
Academic
Used to introduce a contrasting argument or parallel development in a different field. 'The study focused on economic factors. Meanwhile, social influences were largely ignored.'
Everyday
Used in storytelling or casual conversation to switch focus. 'I was stuck in traffic. Meanwhile, my friend arrived at the party early.'
Technical
Less common, but can be used in project documentation to describe concurrent processes. 'The main thread processes the data. Meanwhile, a background thread handles logging.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meanwhile”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meanwhile”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meanwhile”
- Using 'meanwhile' to mean 'however' or 'in contrast' without a temporal element. *'I like apples. Meanwhile, my sister prefers oranges.' (Incorrect if no time element is implied).
- Overusing it as a paragraph connector in formal essays. Using it mid-sentence without proper punctuation: *'He cooked dinner meanwhile she set the table.' (Correct: 'He cooked dinner; meanwhile, she set the table.')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Meanwhile' is more common as a linking adverb at the start of a sentence. 'Meantime' is more common in the phrase 'in the meantime.' Their meanings are identical.
Yes, but it must be set off with commas (or a semicolon before it and a comma after) as it is a sentence adverb. Example: 'The meeting dragged on; meanwhile, important emails piled up.'
'While' is a subordinating conjunction used within a single sentence to link two clauses ('I read while I waited').'Meanwhile' is a linking adverb used to connect two independent sentences or ideas, often signaling a shift in focus to a parallel event.
It is grammatically acceptable but less common and can sound slightly awkward or old-fashioned to some speakers. 'In the meantime' is the far more frequent and natural choice for the noun phrase.
The intervening period of time between two events, or during which something else is happening.
Meanwhile is usually neutral to formal in register.
Meanwhile: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiːnwaɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈminˌ(h)waɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Meanwhile, back at the ranch (humorous, narrative shift)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a movie split screen: on ONE side, something is happening. On the MEAN (middle/other) WHILE (time), something else is happening on the other side.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME AS A PARALLEL JOURNEY (two events traveling alongside each other in time). CONTRAST AS SPATIAL SEPARATION (events happening in different 'spaces' of the narrative).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'meanwhile' used INCORRECTLY?