Word
between
Phoneticsbe·tween, stress on the second syllable
US/bitˈwin/
UK/bɪtwˈiːn/
Adverb of place
Definitions
01physical or temporal space
A1 · Beginner
prep. in the space or time that separates two points, people, or objects.
prep. indicating a position or interval in the space or time separating two distinct entities.
“The small table sits between the two blue armchairs in the living room.”
“The negotiations took place in a neutral zone located between the two warring territories to ensure the safety of both delegations.”
Usage
Typically followed by two nouns joined by 'and', or a plural noun representing two items.
Pitfall
The shop is between the bank and among the cafe.
The shop is between the bank and the cafe.
Use 'between' with two specific items connected by 'and'.
Synonyms
02shared or combined
A2 · Elementary
prep. shared by two or more people, or done by working together.
prep. denoting a relationship of sharing, cooperation, or combined effort involving two or more parties.
Español:entre
“Between the three of them, they managed to carry the heavy sofa upstairs.”
“The cost of the renovation was split equally between the four partners, ensuring that no single person bore the financial burden alone.”
Usage
While some traditionalists suggest 'between' is only for two people, it is standard in modern English for any number of people when viewed as individuals.
Antonyms
03choosing from options
A2 · Elementary
prep. used when you must pick one thing from two or more choices.
prep. indicating a range of options from which a selection must be made.
“I couldn't decide between the chocolate cake and the fruit tart.”
“The committee had to choose between three equally qualified candidates for the executive position, making the final interview process extremely difficult.”
Synonyms
04shared confidence
B1 · Intermediate
prep. used to say that a secret should stay only with the people mentioned.
prep. indicating that information is restricted to a specific group of people.
“Just between you and me, I think the boss is planning to quit.”
“The details of the merger remained strictly between the board members until the official press release was issued the following morning.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
05in the middle
B1 · Intermediate
adv. in the space or time that separates two things.
adv. in an intermediate space or time; used without a following noun phrase.
“There were two large houses with a narrow path running between.”
“The two lectures are at ten and two, with a long break for lunch in between.”
Usage
Often appears as 'in between' when used as an adverb.
Synonyms
06sewing needle
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical
n. a short, strong needle used for sewing thick cloth.
n. a type of short sewing needle with a small eye, specifically designed for fine stitching on heavy fabrics.
“She used a between to quilt the thick layers of the blanket together.”
“The tailor selected a size 10 between to ensure the decorative stitching on the heavy wool coat remained precise and durable.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “between” in context.
Confusables
Between links distinct, individual items; among places an item within an undefined group or mass.
RememberBetween is for two or more individuals; among is for the crowd.
Etymology
PIE word *dwóh₁ From Middle English betwene, from Old English betwēonum (“between, among”, dative plural, literally “by the two, near both”), from Proto-Germanic bi- (“be-”) + twīhnaz (“two each”), corresponding to be- + twain. Cognate with Scots between (“between”), Scots atween (“between”), Gothic 𐍄𐍅𐌴𐌹𐌷𐌽𐌰𐌹 (tweihnai, “two each”), Old English betweoh (“between”), Old English twinn (“double, twofold”). More at betwixt, twin. More distantly related to Ancient Greek διά (diá, “through, across, by, over”) whence English dia- (“through, across, between”). For the meaning development also compare with Mongolian хооронд (xoorond, “between”), connected with Mongolian хоёр (xojor, “two”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0