meantime
nounadverbcommon in dialogue
- //ˈmiːntaɪm//
The time spent waiting for another event; time in between.
noun
- 1
The time spent waiting for another event; time in between.
We'll come back asap; just wait here for the meantime.
Etymology
From Middle English menetime, equivalent to mean + time. Adverb is by ellipsis from in the meantime.
adverb
- 1
During the interval; meanwhile.
Repairs will be done tomorrow so meantime restrain from using the bath.
Meantime Pope Urban II convoked two councils, one after another.
Lunch will be in twenty minutes. Meantime: I have[…]
Meantime, the train went on to Brighton without further incident. No small stir was caused by its arrival with No. 61 at its head, resplendent with "East London Line Special" head boards, which at once caught the eye of William Stroudley, who was observing the traffic working from his office window.
Forms
- plural
- meantimes
meantime · The time spent waiting for another event; time in between.
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