Meaning

An uncertain duration of time, a period of time..

Definitions by Sense

1. An uncertain duration of time, a period of time.
2. During the same time that.
3. Although.
4. (Northern England, Scotland) Until.
5. As long as.
6. (transitive, now only in combination with away; see also while away) To pass (time) idly.
7. (transitive) To occupy or entertain (someone) in order to let time pass.
8. (intransitive, archaic) To elapse, to pass.

Example Sentences

He lectured for quite a long while.

It’s a long while since anyone lived there, so it’s a ruin now.

Do the good that's nearest Though it's dull at whiles.

There are whiles […] when ye are altogether too canny and Whiggish to be company for a gentleman like me.

Things were pretty dark for a while — several whiles, actually.

He was sleeping while I was singing.

Driving while intoxicated is against the law.

I lived in Ávila for two lustra while I was a child.

Word Forms

• whiles
• whiling
• whiled

Synonyms for while

Antonyms for while

Related Words

When Should You Use While?

Use while when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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