Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
Note: In addition to the uses shown below, '~' is used in a few phrasal verbs, such as ‘come ~’.
1.
If something is ~ two things or is in ~ them, it has one of the things on one side of it and the other thing on the other side.
She left the table to stand ~ the two men...
Charlie crossed ~ the traffic to the far side of the street.
PREP: usu PREP pl-n
2.
If people or things travel ~ two places, they travel regularly from one place to the other and back again.
I spent a lot of time in the early Eighties travelling ~ London and Bradford.
PREP: PREP pl-n
3.
A relationship, discussion, or difference ~ two people, groups, or things is one that involves them both or relates to them both.
I think the relationship ~ patients and doctors has got a lot less personal...
There has always been a difference ~ community radio and commercial radio.
PREP: PREP pl-n
4.
If something stands ~ you and what you want, it prevents you from having it.
His sense of duty often stood ~ him and the enjoyment of life.
PREP: PREP n and n
5.
If something is ~ two amounts or ages, it is greater or older than the first one and smaller or younger than the second one.
Amsterdam is fun–a third of its population is aged ~ 18 and 30.
PREP: PREP num and num
6.
If something happens ~ or in ~ two times or events, it happens after the first time or event and before the second one.
The canal was built ~ 1793 and 1797...
PREP: PREP pl-n, PREP num and num
•
Between is also an adverb.
...a journey by jetfoil, coach and two aircraft, with a four-hour wait in Bangkok in ~.
ADV: ADV with cl/group
7.
If you must choose ~ two or more things, you must choose just one of them.
Students will be able to choose ~ English, French and Russian as their first foreign language.
PREP: PREP pl-n
8.
If people or places have a particular amount of something ~ them, this is the total amount that they have.
The three sites employ 12,500 people ~ them...
PREP: PREP pron
9.
When something is divided or shared ~ people, they each have a share of it.
There is only one bathroom shared ~ eight bedrooms.
= amongst
PREP: PREP pl-n
10.
When you introduce a statement by saying ‘~ you and me’ or ‘~ ourselves’, you are indicating that you do not want anyone else to know what you are saying.
Between you and me, though, it’s been awful for business...
Between ourselves, I know he wants to marry her.
PHRASE: PHR with cl