Between

/bɪˈtwiːn/

prepositionBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

In or at a point equidistant from two others; in the space separating two points or things.

/bɪˈtwiːn/

prepositionneutralBeginner
General

In the space separating (two points, objects, or people).

The secret is between you and me.

💡 Simply: In the middle of two things.

More Examples

2

The choice is between apples and oranges.

How It's Used

General

"The ball bounced between the two players."

Spatial

"The house is situated between the river and the mountains."

2

In an intermediate position, state, or degree.

/bɪˈtwiːn/

adverbneutralIntermediate
General

In an intermediate position.

The value is somewhere between 10 and 20.

💡 Simply: In the middle of two things or positions.

More Examples

2

The temperature is between hot and cold.

How It's Used

General

"The results fall somewhere between good and excellent."

Tip:Think of 'between' two extremes on a scale.

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Old English *betwēonan, from be- "by" + twēonum "between two".

The word 'between' has consistently been used to denote an intermediate position or choice between two things since Old English.

Memory tip

Think of being 'between' two friends, in the middle.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"by (be-) two (twēonum)"

between you and mebetween the linesbetween jobs

Common misspellings

betwenbetweeen

Usage

85%Spoken
90%Written