# between

/bitˈwin/ (US) · /bɪtwˈiːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/between
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. physical or temporal space

preposition · CEFR A1

in the space or time that separates two points, people, or objects.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. shared or combined

preposition · CEFR A2

shared by two or more people, or done by working together.

For teachers: denoting a relationship of sharing, cooperation, or combined effort involving two or more parties.

- 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.

### 3. choosing from options

preposition · CEFR A2

used when you must pick one thing from two or more choices.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. shared confidence

preposition · CEFR B1

used to say that a secret should stay only with the people mentioned.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. in the middle

adverb · CEFR B1

in the space or time that separates two things.

For teachers: 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.

### 6. sewing needle

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a short, strong needle used for sewing thick cloth.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The two houses are far apart with a small garden between.
- The train stops at London and Edinburgh, but it does not stop anywhere between.
- The curtains were slightly parted, and a thin sliver of light shone through the gap between.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.