awhile

adverb

ə-ˈ(h)wī(-ə)l 

: for a while

Sit and rest awhile.

Usage of Awhile

Awhile and a while are increasingly used interchangeably, but a distinction is traditionally observed: awhile is an adverb that means "for a while" (that is, "for a period of time") and a while is a noun phrase meaning "a period of time." Awhile usually modifies a verb

was waiting awhile

stopping at the park awhile [= stopping awhile at the park]

; it can typically replace any instance of "for a while." The two-word form a while is used with the words ago or back,

a while ago/back

and when following a preposition.

I read for a while.

We'll see them in a while.

Examples of awhile in a Sentence

I'm going to sit and rest awhile.

The rumor had been around awhile.

Recent Examples on the Web

Be patient here, this step can take awhile. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025

But for awhile there, the PTC was a watchdog with teeth. —James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025

Called a special project for everyone involved and a priority for the studio by Goldberg, 9/12 took awhile to get a formal green as the schedule had to be adjusted to fit Strong’s existing commitments, including his starring role in Peter Morgan’s new Netflix series The Boys From Brazil. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025

A day after clinching the division title, the Dodgers did not take batting practice on the field but Muncy took ground balls at third base for quite awhile and seemed to be moving freely. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

adverbial use of a while (written as one word sporadically since Middle English), going back to Middle English awhile, one while, going back to Old English āne hwīle — more at a entry 2, while entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for awhile

• argyle
• beguile
• compile
• condyle
• defile
• erstwhile
• exile
• freestyle
• gentile
• hairstyle
• lifestyle
• meanwhile

Kids Definition

awhile

adverb

ə-ˈhwī(ə)l 

ə-ˈwī(ə)l

: for a while : for a short time

sit and rest awhile