WordGarden.iobetween
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /bɪtwˈiːn/
US
- /bitˈwin/
Meanings
Preposition
in the space separating two people, things, or places
during the interval separating two times or events
within a range bounded by two amounts, levels, or values
More meaningsFewer meanings
involving, linking, comparing, or shared by two parties, things, or options
Beyond the definition
"Between" seems simple, but it's surprisingly versatile! It most often describes something physically in the middle of two other things—like a book tucked between two bookends, or a house situated between a park and a school. But it isn't only about space. It also marks time—"between 3 and 5 PM"—or describes relationships involving people and things: "a secret between friends." Sometimes it even suggests a hard choice: "caught between a rock and a hard place." Think of it as a connector, a way of linking distinct elements that are close but separate.
The word "between" indicates a position or interval that sits between two or more distinct things. It is most commonly used for physical location: "The cat sat between the boxes," or "There's a path between the trees." In both cases, the subject lies in the middle of another span.
"Between" also marks time: "We'll meet between noon and one o'clock." It refers to a period during which something happens. It can describe relationships too: "a conversation between colleagues," "an agreement between two countries," or "the bond between siblings." Those examples show a connection that links people or things across a shared space of interaction.
It can also introduce a difficult decision or conflict: "He was torn between his duty and his desires," "She was caught between a rock and a hard place." In these cases, someone feels pulled in opposite directions. It is used for distribution as well: "Divide the cookies between us." Many learners think it works only with two items, but many native uses include more than two distinct, individual entities too: "the agreement between the three countries."
So next time you use "between," remember it is more than a preposition for location. It can point to physical position, a time window, a relationship, or a dilemma where choices collide.
Examples
- 1
Location
The toy store is between the library and the cafe.
- 2
Time period
I usually feel sleepy between two and three in the afternoon.
- 3
Age range
Most children learn to count between the ages of three and five.
- 4
Choices
We had to choose between driving and taking the train.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Comparison
There’s a big difference between hearing a word and being able to use it.
- 6
Relationship
A close friendship grew between the two neighbors.
- 7
Workplace tension
Tension has been building between the manager and the team.
- 8
Sharing
She divided the cake between the four children.
- 9
Secret
Keep this between us for now.
- Phrasebetween us
secret, not for other people to know
- 10
Employment gap
He’s been between jobs since March.
- Phrasebetween jobs
temporarily not working
- 11
Hidden meaning
If you read between the lines, you can tell she’s disappointed.
- Phraseread between the lines
understand an unstated meaning
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- betweenadverbpreposition