In the Meantime Meaning: How to Use It, and More Easy Examples

🕓 Last updated on October 21, 2026

The in the meantime meaning is simple. It describes what happens during the time between now and a future event. If you say, “Dinner will be ready in an hour. In the meantime, you can watch TV,” you mean “while you wait.” The phrase fills a gap between two moments.

You hear this phrase everywhere. Teachers say it in class. Bosses write it in emails. Friends send it in texts. Yet many people still stop and wonder what it truly means, or how to use it the right way.

That is a smart question. A small phrase can cause big confusion if you use it wrong. In this guide, you will learn what the phrase means, where it comes from, and how to place it in a sentence. You will also see real examples, common mistakes, and easy tips to remember.

Quick Answer

“In the meantime” means “during the time between two events.” It tells the reader that something else is happening, or should happen, while they wait for something to come.

Think of it as a bridge. On one side, you have the present moment. On the other side, you have an event that has not happened yet. The phrase is the bridge between them.

Here are a few easy ways to say the same thing:

• While we wait
• Until then
• For now
• During this time

For example, “The doctor is running late. In the meantime, please fill out this form.” The form is filled out during the wait. That is the whole idea.

In the Meantime Meaning in Simple Words

Let’s break the phrase into parts. “Meantime” is one word. It names the period of time between two points. Picture a clock. At 2:00, you start waiting. At 3:00, the bus arrives. The hour from 2:00 to 3:00 is the meantime.

When you add “in the” to the front, you get a phrase that points to that stretch of time. You are saying, “Let’s talk about what happens inside that waiting period.”

The phrase often does one of three jobs. First, it can suggest something useful to do while you wait. Second, it can describe something that is happening at the same time as another event. Third, it can offer a short-term fix until a better answer shows up.

Here are three short examples, one for each job:

1. “The pizza needs ten more minutes. In the meantime, set the table.” (a useful task)
2. “Mom is cooking. In the meantime, Dad is cleaning the garage.” (two things at once)
3. “The new printer arrives Friday. In the meantime, use the one downstairs.” (a short-term fix)

Notice that each example has a clear before and after. Something is coming, and something happens first. That pattern shows up every time.

How to Use “In the Meantime” in a Sentence

You can place this phrase in a few spots, and each one feels a little different. The most common spot is the start of a sentence. When you start with it, add a comma right after it.

“In the meantime, please take a seat.”

You can also put it in the middle of a sentence. In that case, use commas on both sides.

“You can, in the meantime, read the rules.”

You can even put it at the end, though this is less common.

“Please stay calm in the meantime.”

Most writers like the start of the sentence because it sets the scene fast. The reader knows right away that a waiting period is involved.

The phrase usually pairs with a first sentence that names the wait or the future event. Then the second sentence tells what to do or what is going on. Here is a simple pattern you can follow:

Future event + in the meantime + action

For example: “Your package ships on Monday. In the meantime, you can track the order online.”

One more note about grammar. The phrase is called an adverbial phrase. That is just a fancy way to say it tells you “when” something happens. You do not need to remember the term. You only need to remember that it explains timing.

Real-Life Examples You Can Copy

Reading a definition helps, but real examples help more. Here are samples from daily life, grouped by where you might hear or use them.

At home, a parent might say, “The bath is almost ready. In the meantime, please pick up your toys.” A roommate might say, “The internet is down until tonight. In the meantime, let’s play cards.”

At school, a teacher might say, “The bell will ring soon. In the meantime, put your books away.” A student might say, “My report is due Friday. In the meantime, I will gather my notes.”

At work, a manager might write, “The new system launches next month. In the meantime, please keep using the old one.” A coworker might say, “I will send the full file tomorrow. In the meantime, here is a short summary.”

In customer service, an agent might say, “We are looking into your issue. In the meantime, here is a temporary fix.”

In texting, a friend might write, “Running ten minutes late. In the meantime, order me a coffee!”

In health settings, a nurse might say, “The doctor will see you soon. In the meantime, rest and drink water.”

You can see that the phrase works in casual and formal places. The tone of the rest of the sentence decides how relaxed or serious it feels.

In the Meantime vs. Meanwhile

Many readers ask whether “in the meantime” and “meanwhile” are the same. They are close, but they are not always twins. Both talk about the time between events or about things happening together. Still, each one leans in a slightly different direction.

“In the meantime” usually points to a wait for something specific. It often suggests an action or a plan for the waiting period. “Meanwhile” usually points to something else going on at the same time, often in a story or a different place.

Feature	In the Meantime	Meanwhile
Main idea	Time between now and a future event	Something happening at the same time
Common use	Advice, plans, short-term fixes	Stories, contrast, parallel events
Feels like	“While we wait”	“At the same time”
Example	“The bus is late. In the meantime, let’s chat.”	“I cooked dinner. Meanwhile, my sister did homework.”
Can swap?	Often yes	Often yes, but not always

In many everyday sentences, you can swap one for the other, and nobody will blink. For example, “The movie starts soon. In the meantime, grab a snack” works with “meanwhile” too. But if you are telling a story with two lines of action, “meanwhile” fits better. If you are giving advice during a wait, “in the meantime” fits better.

Origin and History of the Phrase

Where did this phrase come from? The word “meantime” has been in English for a very long time. It comes from Middle English and joins two old words. The first is “mean,” which here carries the sense of “middle” or “in between.” The second is “time.”

So at its root, the word simply means “the time in the middle.” That fits how we use it today. It is the middle part, the gap, the stretch between two points.

Over time, people began to use “in the meantime” as a set phrase. It became a handy way to say, “during that middle period.” The meaning has stayed steady for many years, which is rare for a common expression.

Exact dates for when each form first appeared are hard to pin down, so it is best not to claim a year. What we can say is that the phrase is old, well-established, and still very much alive in modern English.

Is It Formal or Casual?

Here is some good news. “In the meantime” works in almost any setting. You can say it to a friend, and you can write it in a business letter. That makes it a flexible phrase worth knowing.

Still, the words around it change the feel. Compare these two:

• Casual: “Pizza is coming soon. In the meantime, let’s watch a show.”
• Formal: “Your application is under review. In the meantime, please keep your contact details up to date.”

The phrase stays the same, yet the tone shifts. For very formal writing, some people choose “in the interim.” That phrase means nearly the same thing but sounds more official. You might see it in legal papers or office notices.

In American English, “in the meantime” is the common choice in daily speech. British English uses it too, so there is no real split between the two. The word “meanwhile” is also shared by both. If you are unsure, “in the meantime” is almost always a safe pick.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even simple phrases can trip people up. Here are the most frequent errors, and how to fix them.

Writing it as two words. Some people write “in the mean time.” That looks wrong in most cases. “Meantime” should be one word when you mean the waiting period. The two-word form “mean time” shows up in other uses, such as “Greenwich Mean Time,” where “mean” means “average.”

Forgetting the comma. When the phrase starts a sentence, add a comma. Write “In the meantime, please wait,” not “In the meantime please wait.”

Using it with no wait. The phrase needs a gap in time. If nothing is coming later, the phrase makes no sense. For example, “I ate lunch. In the meantime, I drank water” feels odd, because no future event is being awaited. “Meanwhile” would fit better there.

Mixing it up with “in the mean while.” This is a blend of two phrases. The correct forms are “in the meantime” or “meanwhile.”

Using it too often. Even a good phrase gets tiring. If every other sentence says “in the meantime,” your writing will feel stiff. Mix in “for now,” “until then,” or “while you wait.”

Here is a quick table to help you fix these errors fast:

Mistake	Wrong Example	Better Example
Two words	“In the mean time, relax.”	“In the meantime, relax.”
Missing comma	“In the meantime let’s eat.”	“In the meantime, let’s eat.”
No future event	“I woke up. In the meantime, I brushed my teeth.”	“I woke up. Then I brushed my teeth.”
Blended phrase	“In the mean while, call me.”	“In the meantime, call me.”
Overuse	Five uses in one page	Use it once or twice, then vary

Words and Phrases With a Similar Meaning

Good writers like choices. If you want to avoid repeating yourself, you can swap in other phrases that carry a similar idea. Each one has a slightly different feel, so pick the one that fits.

“Until then” is short and friendly. “For now” suggests a short-term fix. “While you wait” is clear and kind, which makes it great for customer service. “During this time” is neutral and works in most cases. “In the interim” sounds formal and fits official writing.

For example, “Your order ships Friday. Until then, you can track it online” works just as well as the “in the meantime” version. Likewise, “The repair will take a week. For now, use the spare room” keeps the same meaning.

There is one more tip. If you write for kids or new English learners, short phrases like “until then” and “for now” may be easier to understand. But “in the meantime” is still worth teaching, because people use it so often.

Current Usage and Trends

How do people use this phrase today? It shows up a lot in emails, texts, and customer messages. Companies like it because it sounds polite and calm. It tells the reader, “We know you are waiting, and here is something helpful.”

You will often see it in updates about delays, shipping, and service changes. For instance, a store might write, “Your item is back in stock soon. In the meantime, check out these other options.” The phrase softens the wait and gives the reader a next step.

It also appears in everyday talk about life plans. People say things like, “I am saving for a house. In the meantime, I am renting.” This use shows a temporary choice before a bigger goal.

Online, you may also spot the phrase as a joke or a meme setup, often for funny contrast. Someone might post a serious event, then add “in the meantime” before a silly detail. This works because the phrase naturally sets up two things happening together.

Overall, the phrase has stayed steady in popularity. It does not feel old-fashioned, and it does not feel like slang. That makes it a reliable tool for almost any writer.

Tips for Using It Well

Want to use the phrase with confidence? Try these simple habits.

First, make sure a future event exists. Before you write “in the meantime,” ask yourself, “What is the reader waiting for?” If you can answer that, the phrase fits.

Second, follow it with something useful. The best sentences after “in the meantime” give a task, a tip, or a clear fact. That makes the phrase feel helpful instead of empty.

Third, keep it near the event it relates to. Put the waiting event in one sentence, and use “in the meantime” in the very next one. That way, the reader never has to guess what the gap is about.

Fourth, read your sentence out loud. If it sounds natural, you are probably right. If it sounds strange, try “meanwhile” or “for now.”

Fifth, do not overuse it. One or two times in a short piece is plenty.

Finally, watch your punctuation. A comma after the phrase at the start of a sentence is the safest habit.

FAQs

1. What does “in the meantime” mean in simple words?
It means “while you wait” or “during the time between now and a later event.” It points to the gap before something happens.

2. Is “in the meantime” one word or two?
“Meantime” is one word. The full phrase is “in the meantime,” with three words total. Writing “mean time” as two words changes the meaning in most cases.

3. Do I need a comma after “in the meantime”?
Yes, when the phrase starts a sentence. For example: “In the meantime, please sit down.” If it sits in the middle of a sentence, put commas on both sides.

4. Is “in the meantime” the same as “meanwhile”?
They are very close, and you can often swap them. “In the meantime” leans toward waiting for something. “Meanwhile” leans toward two things happening at once.

5. Is it okay to use in formal writing?
Yes. It works in emails, reports, and letters. For an even more official tone, you can use “in the interim.”

6. Can I use it in a text message?
Absolutely. It is friendly and clear. For example: “I will be there in ten minutes. In the meantime, save me a seat!”

Conclusion

The in the meantime meaning is easy once you see the pattern. It describes the time between now and something that is coming later. It can offer a task, share a fact, or give a short-term fix while a reader or listener waits.

Remember the key points. Write “meantime” as one word. Add a comma after the phrase when it opens a sentence. Make sure a real future event is part of the picture. And do not repeat the phrase too often, because simple swaps like “until then” and “for now” keep your writing fresh.

Here is a final bit of practical advice. Next time you write an email or a message that involves a wait, try this small formula: name the wait, then add “in the meantime,” then give one helpful step. It sounds kind, it reads clearly, and it works almost every time.