between
gb/bɪtwˈin/ us/bɪtwˈin/
A1
English
~ 200
Senses
0 senses
preposition
A1
relation
1
in the space separating two things
In the space that separates two things or people.
Usage pattern:
between [something] and [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'among' instead of 'between' when talking about exactly two items. 'Between' is normally used for two, 'among' for more than two, although 'between' can be used with more when individual items are distinct.
Synonyms
amid (More literary or poetic; can imply being surrounded by many things, not just two.)
Antonyms
outside (Refers to being beyond the limits of something, not in the space between.)
Collocations
between two buildings
|between the lines
|between us
|between the trees
|between friends
Themes
daily life
|spatial relations
|core_vocabulary
|space
Examples
- The ball rolled between the chairs.
- She stood between her two best friends.
- There’s a small park between the school and the library.
- The path runs between the river and the road.
Learner examples
- I sat between my mother and father.
- The shop is between the bank and the cafe.
- He walked between the trees.
- The letter was between two books.
preposition
A2
relation
2
in a range from one point to another
Showing limits from one number, place, or time to another.
Usage pattern:
between [number/time/place] and [number/time/place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say 'between to' instead of 'between and' when showing range. The correct form is 'between X and Y'.
Synonyms
from...to... (More explicit structure for marking range; often interchangeable with 'between...and...')
Antonyms
exactly (Indicates a single fixed point rather than a range between two points.)
Collocations
between five and ten
|between 1990 and 2000
|between here and there
Themes
time
|measurement
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The temperature will be between 20 and 25 degrees today.
- She lived in Paris between 2010 and 2015.
- The journey takes between three and four hours.
Learner examples
- The shop is open between 9 and 5.
- I will be away between Monday and Friday.
- It costs between $5 and $10.
preposition
A2
relation
3
shared or involving two parties
Showing that something is shared by or involves two or more people or things.
Usage pattern:
between [someone] and [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'between' with 'with' in contexts like 'agreement with someone' vs. 'agreement between people'. 'Between' emphasizes all parties involved collectively.
Synonyms
among ('Among' can be used for more than two parties without focusing on separateness.)
Antonyms
alone (Indicates no interaction or sharing with others.)
Collocations
agreement between parties
|discussion between friends
|conflict between countries
Themes
relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There is a strong friendship between them.
- The money was divided equally between the three children.
- Talks between the two leaders have resumed.
Learner examples
- There is trust between us.
- The game is between two teams.
- We share the work between us.
adverb
B1
relation
4
in an intermediate position or state
In the middle of two places, times, situations, or states.
Synonyms
midway (Implies equal distance or position between two points.)
Antonyms
extreme (Refers to being at one end rather than in the middle.)
Collocations
somewhere between
|hovering between
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
|space
Examples
- He stopped halfway between and waited.
- The truth lies somewhere between.
- She felt caught between.
Learner examples
- He stood between.
- The answer is somewhere between.
- I am between jobs now.
Grammar
Dictionary form
between
IPA
GB/bɪtwˈin/
US/bɪtwˈin/
Syllables & stress
between (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: between
- Plural: betweens
Word family
Forms
betweens
noun
Core family
in-between
adjective B2
Related words
go-between
noun B2
Expressions
between you and me
1/bɪtwˈin jˈu ˈænd mˈi/
fixed phrase
used to indicate confidentiality
Used before telling someone something private that they should not tell others.
Examples
- Between you and me, I think he's going to quit soon.
- Between you and me, this is the best cake I've ever made.
caught between a rock and a hard place
1/kˈɔt bɪtwˈin ə ɹˈɑk ˈænd ə hˈɑɹd plˈeɪs/
idiom
facing two equally bad options
In a situation where you have to choose between two bad things.
Examples
- I was caught between a rock and a hard place when both jobs had big problems.
- She felt caught between a rock and a hard place over the decision.
fall between the cracks
1/fˈɔl bɪtwˈin ðə kɹˈæks/
idiom
to be overlooked or neglected in a system/process
To be missed or forgotten when people are trying to help or organize things.
Examples
- Some students fall between the cracks in large schools.
- We must ensure no patient falls between the cracks.
in between
1/ˈɪn bɪtwˈin/
fixed phrase
in the middle of two points/things
In the middle space or time separating two things.
Examples
- He placed a chair in between the sofas.
- We stopped in between for lunch.
read between the lines
1/ɹˈid bɪtwˈin ðə lˈaɪnz/
idiom
Find hidden meaning in text/speech
To understand a hidden meaning in what someone writes or says.
Examples
- If you read between the lines, you can tell she’s unhappy.
- Reading between the lines, I think they’re planning to move.
read between the lines
1/ɹˈid bɪtwˈin ðə lˈaɪnz/
idiom
Infer hidden meaning
To understand what someone really means, even if they do not say it clearly.
Examples
- If you read between the lines, his email is actually a complaint.
- Reading between the lines, I don't think they want to hire more staff.
- The report sounds positive, but investors read between the lines and became worried.
read between the lines
2/ɹˈid bɪtwˈin ðə lˈaɪnz/
idiom
Understand hidden meaning not stated directly
To understand what someone really means even if they don't say it directly.
Examples
- If you read between the lines, you can tell she’s upset.
- Reading between the lines, his letter sounds like he’s not happy here.