meanwhile
gb/mˈinwˌaɪl/ us/mˈinwˌaɪl/
B1
English
~ 2000
közben, eközben, addig, időközben
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[Something happens]. Meanwhile, [something else happens].
She was cooking dinner. Meanwhile, he set the table.
A nő vacsorát főzött. Közben a férfi megterített.
The kids played outside; meanwhile, their parents chatted in the kitchen.
A gyerekek kint játszottak; közben a szüleik a konyhában beszélgettek.
Meanwhile, across town, police were investigating the crime.
He finished his homework. Meanwhile, his sister watched TV.
The company is expanding; meanwhile, profits are declining.
Learner examples
I read a book. Meanwhile, my brother played a game.
Olvastam egy könyvet. Közben a bátyám játszott.
She cleaned the room. Meanwhile, he washed the dishes.
A nő kitakarította a szobát. Közben a férfi elmosogatott.
The sun was shining. Meanwhile, it was snowing in the mountains.
He worked on his car. Meanwhile, she painted the fence.
I waited for the bus. Meanwhile, I listened to music.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'meanwhile' with 'in the meantime'. 'Meanwhile' usually connects two ongoing or simultaneous actions; 'in the meantime' often refers to a temporary period before something happens.
Meaning
at the same time
Collocations
meanwhile back
|meanwhile in
|meanwhile elsewhere
|meanwhile the situation
Synonyms
simultaneously (More formal; used in academic or technical contexts.)
|
at the same time (A more common, plain-English equivalent.)
Antonyms
separately (Indicates events happen apart, not at the same time.)
Themes
time
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening at the same time as something else.
Used to describe something happening at the same time as another event.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[Something will happen soon]. Meanwhile, [something else happens].
The bus will arrive in 10 minutes. Meanwhile, let's get some coffee.
A busz 10 perc múlva érkezik. Addig igyunk egy kávét.
The new software will be ready next week; meanwhile, we will continue using the old system.
Az új szoftver a jövő héten lesz kész; addig továbbra is a régi rendszert használjuk.
Dinner is almost ready; meanwhile, could you set the table?
The movie starts at 8. Meanwhile, we can play cards.
The repairs will take a few days; meanwhile, we’ll stay at a hotel.
Learner examples
The train is late. Meanwhile, we wait.
A vonat késik. Addig várunk.
He will come soon. Meanwhile, I read a book.
Hamarosan jön. Addig olvasok egy könyvet.
The cake is baking. Meanwhile, I clean the kitchen.
We have to wait. Meanwhile, we talk.
The store opens at 9. Meanwhile, we drink coffee.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'meanwhile' incorrectly to mean 'at that moment' rather than 'during this period'.
Meaning
in the meantime
Collocations
in the meanwhile
|meanwhile until
Synonyms
in the meantime (Very close synonym; slightly more common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
immediately (Opposite in terms of no waiting period.)
Themes
time
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
For the time before something else happens.
Used to describe a period between two events, often suggesting a temporary action or state until something else happens.
Grammar
Dictionary form
meanwhile
IPA
GB/mˈinwˌaɪl/
US/mˈinwˌaɪl/
Syllables & stress
mean - while (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mean)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: meanwhile
- Plural: meanwhiles
Word family
Expressions
in the meanwhile
1/ˈɪn ðə mˈinwˌaɪl/
fixed phrase
during this intervening time
During the time before something else happens.
Examples
- The project will start next month. In the meanwhile, we will prepare the materials.
- Dinner will be ready in an hour. In the meanwhile, let's watch TV.