between
preposition OPAL WOPAL S
/bɪˈtwiːn/
/bɪˈtwiːn/
- in or into the space separating two or more points, objects, people, etc.
- Q comes between P and R in the English alphabet.
- I sat down between Jo and Diana.
- Switzerland lies between France, Germany, Austria and Italy.
- The paper had fallen down between the desk and the wall.
- (figurative) My job is somewhere between a secretary and a personal assistant.
- in the period of time that separates two days, years, events, etc.
- It's cheaper between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- Don't eat between meals.
- Children must attend school between the ages of 5 and 16.
- Many changes took place between the two world wars.
- at some point along a scale from one amount, weight, distance, etc. to another
- It weighed between nine and ten kilos.
- The temperature remained between 25°C and 30°C all week.
- (of a line) separating one place from another
- the border between Sweden and Norway
- from one place to another
- We fly between Rome and Paris twice daily.
- used to show a connection or relationship
- a difference/distinction/contrast between two things
- a link between unemployment and crime
- There's a lot of bad feeling between them.
- I had to choose between the two jobs.
- shared by two or more people or things
- We ate a pizza between us.
- This is just between you and me/between ourselves (= it is a secret). People sometimes say ‘between you and I’ but this is wrong because the object pronoun me (or reflexive pronoun ourselves) is needed after the preposition between.
- by putting together the efforts or actions of two or more people or groups
- We ought to be able to manage it between us.
- China and India between them account for a third of the world's population.
- between doing something used to show that several activities are involved
- Between working full-time and taking care of the kids, he didn't have much time for hobbies.
Word OriginOld English betwēonum, from be ‘by’ + a Germanic word related to two.