while away

British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to pass (time) idly and usually pleasantly

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while away Idioms  

1. Spend time idly or pleasantly, as in It was a beautiful day and we whiled away the hours in the garden. This expression is the only surviving use of the verb while, meaning “to spend time.” [First half of 1600s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

while away

Since many schools have banned homework, kids while away their afternoons on social media where proper grammar and syntax are passé.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

After the latter vote, Trump defended doing so while away from the state but reiterated his broader opposition.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

He missed more than 140 votes while away and left many wondering about his health.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

The dash console sits well forward of the well-padded front seats, creating an airy space in which to while away the miles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

From there we saw for a while, away below and beyond us eastward, vague vast lands blurred with clouds and shadows of clouds and streaked with silver of rivers, the Plains of Rer.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

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Related Words

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• devote
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