awhile
Americanadverb
adverb
Spelling
The adverb awhile is spelled as a single word: After stopping in Hadley awhile, we drove to Deerfield. As the object of a preposition, the noun phrase a while is used, especially in edited writing, but the single-word form is becoming increasingly common: We rested for a while (or awhile ).
Etymology
Origin of awhile
before 1000; Middle English; Old English āne hwīle (dative); see a 1, while
Explanation
When you've been doing something awhile, you've been doing something for an indefinite amount of time: it could be a little while or a long while. This is a word that's hard to figure out without context. Awhile always applies to time, but the amount of time can be small or large. You could say you've been waiting awhile in line at the bank: that might mean 15 minutes. On the other hand, if you haven't heard from a friend in months, you could say, "Wow... It's been awhile!" Like a bit or a load, you can't measure awhile.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Dodgers can mix and match for awhile, but a team that prides itself on positioning its starters best for October success finds itself in an awkward position.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026
Chrissy Lawler saw her social life dry up awhile back.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 22, 2026
While it doesn’t necessarily mean the stock is in trouble, since this technical condition can last for awhile and be worked off without a selloff, it does suggest caution.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 21, 2026
“Bottom line, these numbers are quite impressive, particularly given the current economic and earnings cycles have been going awhile post-Covid-19,” writes Jeffrey Buchbinder, chief equity strategist at LPL Financial.
From Barron's ● Nov. 25, 2025
I stayed awake awhile, though, letting Rondell’s last line float around in my head some.
From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
