while

[ wahyl, hwahyl ]

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.

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, whil·ing.

1. to cause (time) to pass, especially in some easy or pleasant manner (usually followed by away ).

while

/ 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

preposition

1. dialect.
   another word for until

   you'll never make any progress while you listen to me

   you'll have to wait while Monday for these sheets

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. the while
   at that time

   he was working the while

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of while¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of while¹

Old English hwīl; related to Old High German hwīla (German Weile ), Gothic hveila, Latin quiēs peace, tranquīlus tranquil

Idioms and Phrases

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 ( def ).

More idioms and phrases containing while

• 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

Example Sentences

"This is surely a joke?" added one user, while another suggested the move would "cost jobs and do real damage".

From BBC

Cher grew up with a rootless backdrop that included her mother’s ever-shifting array of husbands, all the while traveling, nomad-like, from one place to another with stints in Pennsylvania, Texas, California and New York.

From Salon

Natural Resources Wales has issued five flood warnings, while 39 flood alerts are in place.

From BBC

A Los Angeles assistant principal was arrested Friday on suspicion of molesting eight young children while working at a Santa Paula elementary school several years ago, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Shots were fired across the road in both directions while onlookers tried to get out of the way, the force said.

From BBC

Related Words

• bit
• moment
• period
• time