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at the same time
/æt ðə seɪm taɪm/
simultaneously
She works full-time and studies at the same time.
She does two things concurrently without stopping one for the other.
neutral
Simultaneously; during the same period.
He listens to music at the same time he writes his essay.
He performs two actions without interrupting either.
The software updates run at the same time as the backup.
Both processes occur concurrently without conflict.
Often used to describe two or more actions happening concurrently without implying causation or coordination.
Collocations
at the same time asduring the period whenall at the same timesimultaneously in a group
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy
Do not pair 'at the same time' with 'both' in the same sentence (e.g., 'Both she and he work at the same time' is redundant). Use 'Both she and he work simultaneously' instead.
Gold Rule
Use for concurrent actions only
This phrase describes temporal overlap, not logical connection. Do not use it to imply causation (e.g., 'She smiled at the same time she waved' does not mean the smile caused the wave).
Word Origin
The phrase combines the preposition 'at' (indicating a point in time or state) with 'the same time' (referring to an identical temporal point). The construction has been used in English since at least the 17th century, reflecting the concept of shared temporal occurrence.
Usage Notes
This phrase is literal and does not carry idiomatic meaning. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe overlapping events or actions. Avoid overusing it in academic writing where 'simultaneously' or 'concurrently' may sound more precise.
Word Breakdown
at
indicates a point in time or state
prepositionthe same
identical in nature or quantity
determinertime
a point or period when something occurs
nounEnglish Dictionary