while
a period or interval of time: to wait a long while;He arrived a short while ago.
Archaic. a particular time or occasion.
during or in the time that.
throughout the time that; as long as.
even though; although: While she appreciated the honor, she could not accept the position.
at the same time that (showing an analogous or corresponding action): The floor was strewn with books, while magazines covered the tables.
Archaic. until.
to cause (time) to pass, especially in some easy or pleasant manner (usually followed by away).
Idioms about while
all the while. See entry at all the while.
worth one's while, worth one's time, trouble, or expense: The art exhibition that opened yesterday isn't worth your while.
Origin of while
1Words that may be confused with while
- while , wile
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use while in a sentence
They end up in Wyoming, whiling away their time there by falling for each other all over again.
This was no official message paying toll, but a private conversation between operators bent on whiling away dull moments.
A Pagan of the Hills | Charles Neville BuckBut women have a thousand pretty little devices for whiling away the heavy hours.
The Girl of the Period and Other Social Essays, Vol. II (of 2) | Eliza Lynn LintonBut even "David Copperfield," which arrived with her meal, did not aid her in whiling away the hours.
The Biography of a Prairie Girl | Eleanor GatesIdle hands and unoccupied brains found in mischief the only means of whiling away the long hours of incarceration.
The Chronicles of Newgate, v. 2/2 | Arthur Griffiths
For nine days he came, sitting by the bedside and whiling away many a weary hour for the sufferer, until the tenth morning.
Twelve Men | Theodore Dreiser
British Dictionary definitions for while
/ (waɪl) /
(subordinating) at the same time that: please light the fire while I'm cooking
(subordinating) all the time that: I stay inside while it's raining
(subordinating) in spite of the fact that: while I agree about his brilliance I still think he's rude
(coordinating) whereas; and in contrast: flats are expensive, while houses are cheap
(subordinating; used with a gerund) during the activity of: while walking I often whistle
Scot and Northern English 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
(usually used in adverbial phrases) a period or interval of time: once in a long while
trouble or time (esp in the phrase worth one's while): it's hardly worth your while to begin work today
the while at that time: he was working the while
Origin of while
1usage For while
- See also whiles
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with while
In addition to the idioms beginning with while
- while away
- while back
- while there's life there's hope
also see:
- all the time (while)
- a while back
- 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
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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