meanwhile (adverb, noun)
Meanwhile as an adverb has two meanings: “during the time something else happens” and “at the same time.” As a noun, meanwhile means “the time something else happens.”
Example sentence
- Susan went shopping on Saturday; meanwhile, her husband got a tattoo!
- We’re moving to California next month, so meanwhile we’ll be busy packing.
- The teacher will be gone for twenty minutes. In the meanwhile, please work on your essays.
Multi-words forms
“Meanwhile, back at the ranch” is a well-known phrase in US English. In the past it was used by narrators of American cowboy movies as a transition between scenes. Now it is mostly used ironically.Example: “My wife is on a business trip in Hawaii. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the kids are driving me crazy!”
Similar expressions
“In the meantime” is a synonym for meanwhile or “in the meanwhile.”
Origin
Meanwhile first appeared in Middle English 1300–1350.
(Source: http://daily.wordreference.com/w/ONfO8IUnkEehhPZharsZCg)
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.