Synonyms

whilst

American

[hwahylst, wahylst] / ʰwaɪlst, waɪlst /

conjunction

Chiefly British. while.

whilst British

/ waɪlst /

conjunction

another word for while while while while while

"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

Etymology

Origin of whilst

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English whilest, equivalent to whiles + excrescent -t as in amongst, amidst

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.

Whilst at RHS Garden Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire things are not quite as advanced.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

Whilst this was "no secret", she described this rise as "unsustainable".

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

"Whilst necessary to recoup funds, it's fair to ask whether councils allow genuine room to repay in a way that does not cause hardship or deepen problem debt."

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

Whilst additional funding would be welcomed, it is not clear how this would be set out and if the sector could immediately handle additional volumes, given the current position with reduced provision.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Whilst others struggled through the snows atop weary horses, she rode upon a bed of furs inside a wayn, with a stiff canvas roof to keep the snow off, comfortable in her chains.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023