Meaning & use
asynchronously
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Meanings
adverbnot comparablecomputing
In a way that does not need things to happen at the same moment or in a fixed order, so one task can continue while another is waiting.
Grammar: Describes how a process runs: the program loads data asynchronously.
Patterns
- run asynchronously
- load asynchronously
The app loads images asynchronously, so the page does not freeze.
The two servers exchange messages asynchronously.
The script runs asynchronously, letting other code carry on.
adverbnot comparable
In a way that lets people take part at different times rather than all together, as in online courses or team messages.
Grammar: Used about people and work: they collaborate asynchronously.
Patterns
- work asynchronously
- communicate asynchronously
Our team works asynchronously across three time zones.
Students can complete the course asynchronously, whenever they have time.
We share updates asynchronously by email rather than meeting every morning.
Common combinations
- work asynchronously
- Remote teams often work asynchronously to suit different time zones.
- run asynchronously
- The task runs asynchronously in the background.
- communicate asynchronously
- We communicate asynchronously through shared documents.
- process asynchronously
- The system processes payments asynchronously.
- learn asynchronously
- Many adults learn asynchronously through recorded lessons.
Synonyms and how they differ
- non-simultaneously
- This is a plain, rare phrase meaning not at the same time, while asynchronously is the standard technical word.
- independently
- Independently means separately without relying on others, while asynchronously stresses the timing.
- in the background
- This is an everyday phrase for tasks that run unseen, while asynchronously names the technical method.
- on your own schedule
- This is a friendly, informal way to describe asynchronous work among people rather than machines.
Opposites
Word family
- asynchronous adjective
- not happening at the same time or in step
- asynchrony noun
- the state of not being in step (rare)
- synchronously adverb
- at the same time
- synchronize verb
- to make things happen at the same time
Commonly confused: asynchronously or synchronously?
asynchronously vs synchronously
Synchronously means at the same time or in step, which is the opposite of asynchronously.
Practice
Our team works ___, so people in different time zones can reply whenever it suits them.
Choose one answer.
Asynchronously means not at the same time, so people can reply when they choose. Synchronously is the opposite and would mean everyone working at once.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “asynchronously”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.