while

American  

[hwahyl, wahyl] / ʰwaɪl, waɪl /

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.

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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 ).

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. see all the while.

while British  

/ 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

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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

while More Idioms  

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

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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

Etymology

Origin of while

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

Explanation

While describes a length of time. If you were describing a first date, you might say, "We sat there for a while in an incredibly awkward silence." Use the word while to talk about an unspecific period of time, like when you ask your friend if you can borrow his notebook for a while. While is also a conjunction that describes things that happen at the same time, like crying while watching a very sad movie. The Old English root of while, hwil, is interesting because the w and the h are switched, but the meaning is the same: a space of time.

Example Sentences

But while the goal, Balogun’s third of the tournament, proved to be all the U.S. needed to beat Bosnia, the red card — which cannot be appealed according to U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

Samuel said he had ordered the police to investigate the killings, while Feven called for the authorities to take swift action.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026

"The earthquake happened while I was flying," she told AFP.

From Barron's • Jul. 2, 2026

But Claus sent Balogun off just the same, leaving the U.S. to protect a one-goal advantage for the final 30 minutes while playing a man down.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

Before long she had twenty plate-sized pieces for the party, while steadily keeping up with the orders that were pouring in.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• bit
• moment
• period
• time