meanwhile

beginnerA2

/ˈmiːnˌwaɪl/ · mean-while

during the intervening time; at the same time.

Meanings

adverbformal

during the intervening time; at the same time.

درمیان وقت میں؛ اسی وقت.

درمیان

darmiyan

Synonyms

in the meantimesimultaneouslyalongsideاسی دوراناس دورانساتھ ساتھ

Antonyms

afterwardslaterafterبعد میںپھربعد

Common Collocations

  • meanwhile announcement
  • meanwhile solutions
  • meanwhile activities

Example Sentences

I was cooking dinner; meanwhile, my husband was cleaning the house.

میں رات کا کھانا بنا رہی تھی؛ اسی دوران، میرے شوہر گھر صاف کر رہے تھے.

main raat ka khana bana rahi thi; isi dauran, mere shohar ghar saaf kar rahe the.

We waited for the train; meanwhile, we enjoyed our snacks.

ہم ٹرین کا انتظار کر رہے تھے؛ اس دوران، ہم نے اپنے ناشتوں کا لطف اٹھایا.

hum train ka intezar kar rahe the; is dauran, humne apne nashton ka lutf uthaya.

The report was being written; meanwhile, the team was preparing for a presentation.

رپورٹ لکھی جا رہی تھی؛ اسی دوران، ٹیم پیشکش کے لئے تیاری کر رہی تھی.

report likhi ja rahi thi; isi dauran, team peshkash ke liye tayyari kar rahi thi.

Easily Confused With

in the meantime:While 'meanwhile' suggests simultaneous events, 'in the meantime' typically refers to a span of time during which something else occurs.

Word Family

mean
verbمقصود کرنا
mean
adjectiveنقصان دہ

See Also

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 'mean' time - what’s happening in the meantime.

Visualize a clock ticking while two events are occurring at the same time.

📖 Etymology

Origin: Middle English "menwhile" — in the meantime

First known use: 14th century

The word 'meanwhile' evolved from the combination of 'mean' meaning 'intermediate' and 'while' indicating 'time'.