B1adverbacademiclanguage
US/ˈmiːn.waɪl/
UK/ˈmiːn.waɪl/
while something else is happening; or used to compare two different situations
In context
The rice needs twenty minutes. Meanwhile, you can chop the vegetables.
Prices keep going up. Meanwhile, salaries have hardly changed.
I'll call the repair shop; in the meanwhile, don't use the washing machine.
Words that go with meanwhile
noun + preposition
- in the meanwhileThe bus is late; in the meanwhile, let's get a coffee.
- meanwhile inMeanwhile in Hanoi, the temperature dropped to ten degrees.
adverb + verb
- but meanwhileThe plan sounds good, but meanwhile people are still waiting for help.
- meanwhile backMeanwhile back at home, the kids were making a mess.
- and meanwhileHe kept talking, and meanwhile the food went cold.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
Meanwhile I was cooking, he watched TV.Correct: While I was cooking, he watched TV.