between Hear it!

between Definition

be·tween (bē twēn′, bi-)

  1. in or through the space that separates (two things) between the house and the garage
  2. in or of the time, amount, or degree that separates (two things); intermediate to between blue and green
  3. that connects or relates to a bond between friends, the difference between right and wrong
  4. along a course that connects the road runs between here and there
    1. by the joint action of between them they landed the fish
    2. because of the combined effect of between work and studies she has no time left
    3. in or into the combined possession of they had fifty dollars between them
  6. with equal parts shared by each of they divided it between them
  7. to the exclusion of all but both of let's keep this matter between us
  8. from one or the other of choose between love and duty

Etymology: ME bitwene < OE betweonum < be, by + tweonum (dat. of *tweon); akin to Goth tweihnai, by twos, in pairs: for IE base see two

adverb

  1. in an intermediate space, position, or function
  2. in an intermediate time; in the interval

between Idioms

between ourselves

in confidence; as a secret

in between

  1. in an intermediate position
  2. in the midst of
between Synonyms

between

prep.

separating, within, enclosed by, bounded by, amidst, amid, among, in, in between, interpolated, mid, interjacent, intervening, inserted, in the midst of, in the middle, medially, centrally located, surrounded by, midway, halfway, intermediate to, linking, connecting, betwixt, in the thick of, betwixt and between, sandwichwise*; see also among.

between you and me

confidentially, privately, personally; see secretly.

between Quotes

Asked by the chairmantheusual question: 'Iunderstand, Mr Strachey, that you have a conscientious objection to war?' hereplied (inhis curiousfalsettovoice),'Ohno, not at all, only to this war.'Better thanthiswashisreply tothe chairman's other stock question, which had previously never failed to embarrass the claimant.'Tell me, Mr Strachey, what would youdoif yousawa Germansoldier trying to violate your sister?' With an air of noble virtue: 'I would try to get between them.'

—Strachey, (Giles) Lytton

Browse dictionary entries near between

  1. ‹ Betty
  2. ‹ bettor
  3. ‹ betterment
  4. ‹ better half
  5. ‹ better
  6. ‹ betta
  7. ‹ Betsy
  8. ‹ betrothed
  9. ‹ betrothal
  10. ‹ betroth
  1. betweenbrain ›
  2. betweentimes ›
  3. betwixt ›
  4. Beulah ›
  5. beurre blanc ›
  6. BeV ›
  7. Bevatron ›
  8. bevel ›
  9. bevel gear ›
  10. beverage ›