whilst
Americanconjunction
conjunction
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.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations are ongoing."
From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026
"Sat in his dining room with a cup of tea Gwen had made, Harry told me just a small portion of his many many experiences whilst fighting in Burma," Liston said.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
The family asked for privacy whilst they grieved and supported one another, adding: "We would like to thank everyone for their kindness, support and understanding."
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
It has applied in Scotland and Wales since 2018 and 2021 respectively, however, whilst a number of public bodies in England have adopted it voluntarily.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
I’d been trying to make myself so small whilst the cap’n had been chawing folk up that I hadn’t took no proper notice of the barber’s chair.
From "The Journey of Little Charlie" by Christopher Paul Curtis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
