while

[hwahyl, wahyl]

noun

1. a period or interval of time.

   to wait a long while;

   He arrived a short while ago.

2. Archaic.,  a particular time or occasion.

conjunction

1. during or in the time that.

2. throughout the time that; as long as.

3. even though; although.

   While she appreciated the honor, she could not accept the position.

4. at the same time that (showing an analogous or corresponding action).

   The floor was strewn with books, while magazines covered the tables.

preposition

1. Archaic.,  until.

verb (used with object)

whiled, whiling 

1. to cause (time) to pass, especially in some easy or pleasant manner (usually followed byaway ).

while

/ waɪl /

conjunction

1. (subordinating) at the same time that

   please light the fire while I'm cooking

2. (subordinating) all the time that

   I stay inside while it's raining

3. (subordinating) in spite of the fact that

   while I agree about his brilliance I still think he's rude

4. (coordinating) whereas; and in contrast

   flats are expensive, while houses are cheap

5. (subordinating; used with a gerund) during the activity of

   while walking I often whistle

preposition

1. dialect,  another word for until

   you'll have to wait while Monday for these sheets

   you'll never make any progress while you listen to me

noun

1. (usually used in adverbial phrases) a period or interval of time

   once in a long while

2. trouble or time (esp in the phrase worth one's while )

   it's hardly worth your while to begin work today

3. at that time

   he was working the while

Usage

It was formerly considered incorrect to use while to mean in spite of the fact that or whereas , but these uses have now become acceptable

Word History and Origins

Origin of while¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English hwīl; cognate with Dutch wijl, German weile, Old Norse hvīla, Gothic hweila

Word History and Origins

Origin of while¹

Old English hwīl; related to Old High German hwīla (German Weile ), Gothic hveila, Latin quiēs peace, tranquīlus _tranquil

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. worth one's while, worth one's time, trouble, or expense.

   The art exhibition that opened yesterday isn't worth your while.

2. all the while. all the while.

More idioms and phrases containing while

• a while back
• all the time (while)
• every now and then (once in a while)
• fiddle while Rome burns
• get out while the getting is good
• in a while
• make hay while the sun shines
• once in a while
• quit while you're ahead
• strike while the iron's hot
• worth one's while

Example Sentences

“It’s going to be that way for a while.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

China, which long possessed just a small nuclear force, is catching up fast, while Russia is developing a variety of new-generation systems aimed at American cities.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“There were some plays they made that I haven’t seen in a while and that was normal for them,” Keller said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"The lion's share of the gains and the benefits accrue to Alberta, while the lion's share of generational risks occur in BC."

Read more on BBC

She said the car, which she shares with her partner Tom, was stolen from outside their home in Wolverhampton while they slept.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bit 
• moment 
• period 
• time