Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
You use ~ to show that what you are about to mention is the result or consequence of something else that you have just mentioned. (FORMAL)
Even in a highly skilled workforce some people will be more capable and ~ better paid than others.
= therefore, hence
ADV: ADV with cl/group
2.
If you say that something is ~ or happens ~ you mean that it is, or happens, as you have just described or as you are just about to describe. (FORMAL)
Joanna was pouring the drink. While she was ~ engaged, Charles sat on one of the bar-stools...
ADV: ADV with v, ADV cl