While
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ʍaɪl/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: While is a noun meaning An uncertain duration of time, a period of time.
Meaning
An uncertain duration of time, a period of time.
More Meanings
- During the same time that.
- Although.
- (Northern England, Scotland) Until.
- As long as.
- (transitive, now only in combination with away; see also while away) To pass (time) idly.
- (transitive) To occupy or entertain (someone) in order to let time pass.
- (intransitive, archaic) To elapse, to pass.
Example Sentences
He lectured for quite a long while.
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
Depending on context, synonyms include whilst, till, providing, as, when, whilom.
Antonyms for while
Common opposites include since, until.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include piece, spell, meanwhile, moment, whilst, then.
Related Dictionary Tools
Practice “while” in a Crossword
Recall this definition from a clue, use crossing letters, and review the word again when you solve it.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.