while
Americannoun
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a period or interval of time.
to wait a long while;
He arrived a short while ago.
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Archaic. a particular time or occasion.
conjunction
-
during or in the time that.
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throughout the time that; as long as.
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even though; although.
While she appreciated the honor, she could not accept the position.
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at the same time that (showing an analogous or corresponding action).
The floor was strewn with books, while magazines covered the tables.
preposition
verb (used with object)
idioms
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worth one's while, worth one's time, trouble, or expense.
The art exhibition that opened yesterday isn't worth your while.
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all the while. all the while.
conjunction
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(subordinating) at the same time that
please light the fire while I'm cooking
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(subordinating) all the time that
I stay inside while it's raining
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(subordinating) in spite of the fact that
while I agree about his brilliance I still think he's rude
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(coordinating) whereas; and in contrast
flats are expensive, while houses are cheap
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(subordinating; used with a gerund) during the activity of
while walking I often whistle
preposition
noun
-
(usually used in adverbial phrases) a period or interval of time
once in a long while
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trouble or time (esp in the phrase worth one's while )
it's hardly worth your while to begin work today
-
at that time
he was working the while
Usage
It was formerly considered incorrect to use while to mean in spite of the fact that or whereas , but these uses have now become acceptable
Etymology
Origin of while
First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English hwīl; cognate with Dutch wijl, German weile, Old Norse hvīla, Gothic hweila
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.
"Treating one while ignoring the other is a bit like bailing water out of a boat without fixing the leak."
From Science Daily
A fractious council meeting in December was disrupted by motorists honking their car horns outside, while a man was ejected for barracking councillors with shouts of "shame" after it got under way.
From BBC
Morris is still returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that has ruled her out for nine months, while Layzell has had multiple setbacks since impressing in a 2-0 win over Barcelona in October 2024.
From BBC
Arsenal top the Premier League, while Tottenham are fighting for their top-flight lives with interim boss Igor Tudor having replaced Thomas Frank this month.
From BBC
A report was made about the scam to Report Fraud while the couple also contacted their bank - but they have been told it is unlikely their money can be recovered.
From BBC
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.
