awhile
Americanadverb
adverb
Spelling
The adverb awhile is spelled as a single word: After stopping in Hadley awhile, we drove to Deerfield. As the object of a preposition, the noun phrase a while is used, especially in edited writing, but the single-word form is becoming increasingly common: We rested for a while (or awhile ).
Etymology
Origin of awhile
before 1000; Middle English; Old English āne hwīle (dative); a 1, while
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
California does take awhile to count its ballots and finalize its elections.
From Los Angeles Times
It hardly ever speaks, and even if it does you often have to wait awhile.
From Literature
“No. People don’t die from a broken ankle. She might have to wear a cast on her leg for awhile, but she won’t die.”
From Literature
It feels like this game will be close for awhile, and Seattle will pull away just enough in the second half.
From Los Angeles Times
While it doesn’t necessarily mean the stock is in trouble, since this technical condition can last for awhile and be worked off without a selloff, it does suggest caution.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
