Meanwhile vs Simultaneously

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Meanwhile

Top 2,000 (common) B1 adverb

Simultaneously

Top 2,000 (common) C1 adverb

	Meanwhile	Simultaneously
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈmiːnwaɪl/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈmiːnwaɪl/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˌsɪmlˈteɪniəsli/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˌsaɪmlˈteɪniəsli/"]/
Meaning	At the same time as something else happens.	At the same time as something else.
Example	Leave the cake to cool completely. Meanwhile, make the topping.	The game will be broadcast simultaneously on TV and radio.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	B1	C1
Part of speech	adverb	adverb
Collocations	meanwhile, back at the ranch, meanwhile, in another part of town, meanwhile, across the street	happen simultaneously, simultaneously occur, perform simultaneously
Antonyms	afterwards, later	sequentially, consecutively, successively
Common mistakes	Omitting the comma before 'meanwhile' when used at the beginning of a sentence., 'Meanwhile' is sometimes misused in informal contexts where 'in the meantime' might be more appropriate.	Using it incorrectly to mean 'separately'., Confusing it with 'simultaneous' which is an adjective., Misplacing it in a sentence which can alter the meaning.
Usage notes	Use 'meanwhile' to connect two actions occurring at the same time, typically in writing or formal speech. Avoid using it in very casual conversations.	Use 'simultaneously' to describe two or more actions happening at the same time. It works well in both spoken and written contexts but may sound overly formal in casual conversation.

See it in real clips

We create and perceive our world simultaneously.

We'd have to hit all banks simultaneously. SWAT teams, backup.

We create and perceive our world simultaneously.

We'd have to hit all banks simultaneously. SWAT teams, backup.

Simultaneously

Frequently asked questions: Meanwhile vs Simultaneously

What's the difference between Meanwhile and Simultaneously?

Meanwhile: At the same time as something else happens. Simultaneously: At the same time as something else.

Which is more advanced: Meanwhile and Simultaneously?

Simultaneously is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Meanwhile and Simultaneously the same CEFR level?

Meanwhile: B1, Simultaneously: C1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Meanwhile and Simultaneously?

Meanwhile: adverb, Simultaneously: adverb.

Can you show an example of each?

Meanwhile: Leave the cake to cool completely. Meanwhile, make the topping. Simultaneously: The game will be broadcast simultaneously on TV and radio.

Can I use Meanwhile and Simultaneously interchangeably?

Not always. Meanwhile and Simultaneously are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.