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. 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

Example Sentences

And while their mission demands extreme precision, there is still room for childlike levity.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

The firm focuses on heavily indebted companies, offering loans to some while buying and shorting bonds of others—often supersizing its trades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Simpson is heard yelling as they continue to film, while chasing the Toyota through the streets of Hollywood and calling 911.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

And while an amnesty period for gun owners has been extended several times, the deadline is now 30 October for the firearms to be destroyed.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Jonah’s now laying flat on the floor, giggling while Maverick dances and wiggles all around and over him, licking his face whenever he lunges in close.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• bit
• moment
• period
• time