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

Trey Moore, who had emerged as a front-runner to start at linebacker for the Dolphins, will be out awhile after sustaining an ankle injury during Saturday’s 26-3 preseason loss to the Giants. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026

Jenner styled her pair earlier this year, Bieber just this past month, and Ross, who has been a die-hard Asics stan for awhile now, posted on Instagram wearing the brand just this week. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026

All the menu is made to be taken to-go, but customers can also stay awhile in a lounge space. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026

While Ryan Murphy series can go dormant for awhile before being revisited, there are no current plans for Season 2 of The Beauty. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 July 2026

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