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while Definition

while (hwīl, wīl)

noun

a period or space of time a short while

Etymology: ME < OE hwil, akin to Ger weile < IE base *kweye-, to rest > L quies, quiet

  1. during or throughout the time that we waited while she dined
  2. at the same time that while you're up, close the door
    1. although on the one hand while he was not poor, he had no ready cash
    2. whereas; and on the other hand the walls are green, while the ceiling is white
  4. North Eng., Archaic until

North Eng., Archaic until

transitive verb whiled, whil′·ing

to spend (time) in a pleasant way; cause to pass idly: often with away to while away the afternoon

Etymology: < whilethe , but meaning prob. infl. by wile

while Idioms

between whiles

now and then; at intervals

the while

at the same time; during this very time

worth someone's while

worth someone's time, consideration, etc.; profitable in some way

while Synonyms

while

conj.

  1. As long as

    during, at the same time that, during the time that, whilst, throughout the time that, in the time that.

  2. Although

    whereas, though, even though; see although.

for a while

for a time, for a short time, briefly; see awhile, temporarily.

while Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • wait: Looking after them may mean encouraging them to wait a while.
  • take: They contain a number of pictures, animations and sound effects which may take a while to download if you have a slow modem.
  • date: Linda was surprised ( they had only been dating a short while ).

Adjective modifier

  • worth: I have to write that the wait was certainly worth while.
  • short: A short while later he returned but only to threaten Roy with the police.
  • little: A little while later she was back, saying that his wife would not come.
  • long: Its a long while ago now, to think about that.

Modifies a noun

  • loop: The default value for expression2 ( the while condition ) is 1 ( true ). Essentially, the for loop is a while loop.
  • condition: The default value for expression2 ( the while condition ) is 1 ( true ). Essentially, the for loop is a while loop.
  • researcher: Listen to the from the pacific while researchers struggle in the daytime.

Preposition: after

lunch: Watched from veranda for a while after lunch - thought it was going to rain but didn't. m White-fronted Falconet from veranda.

Preposition: in

  • silence: Silent Prayer Pray for a while in silence, thinking especially about God's love for us.
  • hope: I hate Standard Life but will probably hold onto the shares for a while in the hope of a takeover bid.
  • hand: Gerald Brenan died on January 19, 1987 while in the hands of the Spanish Medical Services who had undertaken to care for him.

Preposition: for

  • urm: A sympathetic cyclist was stopped and questioned by police for a while for, urm, cycling.
  • food: We waited quite a while for the food to arrive, but were happy to sit and chat in the relaxing surroundings.

Browse dictionary entries near while

  1. ‹ whigmaleerie
  2. ‹ Whiggery
  3. ‹ Whig
  4. ‹ whiffletree
  5. ‹ whiffler
  6. ‹ whiffle ball
  7. ‹ whiffle
  8. ‹ whiffet
  9. ‹ whiff
  10. ‹ whidah (bird)
  1. whiles ›
  2. whilom ›
  3. whilst ›
  4. whim ›
  5. whim-wham ›
  6. whimbrel ›
  7. whimper ›
  8. whimsical ›
  9. whimsicality ›
  10. whimsy ›