prep
between
bih-TWEEN
prep
1
In the space, time, or range that separates two things.
"The café is between the bank and the bookstore."
"We'll arrive between six and seven o'clock."
2
Shared by, or exchanged privately by, two or more people.
"Keep this between us for now."
3
Involving a choice or comparison of two options.
"I couldn't decide between the red one and the blue one."
How to Use Between
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to show something is in the middle of two points, shared by two parties, or a choice involving two options.
Common mistake
Traditionally reserved for exactly two things, with "among" used for three or more — though this distinction is often ignored in casual speech.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
between you and me
somewhere between
choose between
Word Forms
betweens plural
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The café is _____ the bank and the bookstore.
Etymology
From Old English betwēonum, literally "by the two" — built from be- and a word related to "twain" (two), the same root behind "betwixt" and "twin."