while

1 of 4

noun

ˈ(h)wī(-ə)l 

1

: a period of time especially when short and marked by the occurrence of an action or a condition : time

stay here for a while

2

: the time and effort used (as in the performance of an action) : trouble

worth your while

while

2 of 4

conjunction

1

a

: during the time that

take a nap while I'm out

b

: as long as

while there's life there's hope

2

a

: when on the other hand : whereas

easy for an expert, while it is dangerous for a novice

b

: in spite of the fact that : although

while respected, he is not liked

3

: similarly and at the same time that

while the book will be welcomed by scholars, it will make an immediate appeal to the general reader

—British Book News

while

3 of 4

preposition

dialectal British

: until

while

4 of 4

verb

whiled; whiling

transitive verb

: to cause to pass especially without boredom or in a pleasant manner

—usually used with away

while away the time

Synonyms

Noun

• bit
• space
• spell
• stretch

Conjunction

• as
• so long as
• when
• whilst [chiefly British]

Examples of while in a Sentence

Noun

It took them a while to find out what was causing the problem.

we stayed at the fair for a while longer

Conjunction

Someone called while you were out.

You can get the photos developed while you wait.

The phone rang while I was doing the dishes.

They met while they were in college.

Can I get you anything while I'm at the store?

He made a comment that, while well-intentioned, still hurt my feelings.

While I think some parts of the plan are good, I don't think it's practical.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Photograph: Lenovo Lenovo IdeaPad Flex for $690 ($160 off) Amazon This has been one of our favorite budget laptops for a while. —Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2023

Tyreek Hill is dealing with a hand injury, and a stout defense should keep the Jets in this game for a while. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2023

In October, Bond producer Barbara Broccoli indicated fans may have to wait a while longer until a new actor is announced. —Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023

As the cold front approaches, rain could really pile up for a while later tonight. —Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023

For a while, that meant Activision, which acquired Infocom in 1986. —Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 21 Nov. 2023

There’s been signs for a while that commercial real estate is a bubble that’s about to burst. —Bysydney Lake, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023

Jennifer Lopez has also been sporting golden honey hair for a while now. —Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2023

Creative direction and styling have both been interests of the artists for a while. —Essence, 20 Nov. 2023

Verb

Observers have noticed on nearly every play Taylor has been setting up further behind the line of scrimmage than offensive linemen are allowed to while also jumping a half-second early. —Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press, 8 Sep. 2023

Every Photo of Kate Middleton and Prince William in Boston After a coffee stop at Dunkin Donuts — a must while in Massachusetts, right? —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 6 Dec. 2022

Your talents may have attracted the spotlight—and could continue to while the Sun’s in Scorpio until November 22. —The Astrotwins, ELLE, 30 Nov. 2022

His father, a security guard in the Texas oil fields, used to while away his shift catching snakes that wriggled by his post, and would bring them home for his children to admire before releasing them. —Susan Orlean, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2022

But Mussolini failed to develop Italy’s economic and military might while Hitler transformed Germany into a colossus. —Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, 19 Sep. 2022

There's plenty of luxury to go around, as backseat passengers can while away the miles with a massage. —Eric Bangeman, Ars Technica, 17 June 2022

The activity is in the Art Lab, which is brimming with other projects that will while away the time. —Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Mar. 2022

In the photos, Saweetie is shown lounging under a palm tree, taking a dip in the water, and enjoying food and beverages — as one should while on vacay, of course. —Sara Miranda, Allure, 27 Dec. 2021

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hwīl; akin to Old High German hwīla time, Latin quies rest, quiet

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Conjunction

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Preposition

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1635, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing while

• every once in a while
• a (good) long while
• all the while
• make it worth your while
• while (one's) at it
• strike while the iron is hot
• quite a while
• while the going is good
• worth someone's while
• while away
• once in a while
• after a while

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• every once in a while
• a (good) long while
• all the while
• make it worth your while
• while (one's) at it
• strike while the iron is hot
• quite a while
• while the going is good
• worth someone's while
• while away
• once in a while
• after a while

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Kids Definition

while

1 of 3 noun

ˈhwī(ə)l 

ˈwī(ə)l

1

: a period of time

stay here for a while

2

: time and effort used

worth your while

while

2 of 3 conjunction

1

a

: during the time that

take a nap while I'm out

b

: as long as

enjoy life while we can

2

: in spite of the fact that : although

while respected, the mayor is not liked

while

3 of 3 verb

whiled; whiling

: to cause to pass pleasantly or without boredom

while away the time