[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/meantime/)

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# meantime

noun (in the meantime); adverb (meantime)

«meantime» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. The time between two events: «in the meantime» means while you wait for something else to happen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meantime/#m1)
2. (adverb) Meanwhile; at the same time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meantime/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories «in the meantime» moves to what was happening elsewhere or while waiting. In everyday life it tells someone what to do while they wait. Phrases: «in the meantime», «for the meantime» (for now).

### Examples

- Dinner will be ready in an hour; in the meantime, do your homework. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meantime/#x1)
- The doctor is coming. In the meantime, keep the ice on your knee. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meantime/#x2)
- Meantime, Ratty was rowing up the river. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meantime/#x3)
- The new library opens in May; for the meantime, use the mobile library. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meantime/#x4)
- In the meantime, the snow kept falling. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meantime/#x5)
- We waited for the bus and in the meantime ate our sandwiches. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meantime/#x6)
- In the meantime, what of the boys? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meantime/#x7)

### Note

Most often in «in the meantime». Means the same as «meanwhile». Written as one word. In time problems it is the gap between two events.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «meantime» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meantime/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«meantime» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/meantime.html) on Mova free.