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while

Pronunciation: /wʌɪl/

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Definition of while

noun

1a period of time:we chatted for a while she retired a little while ago
(a while) for some time:can I keep it a while?

2 (the while) at the same time; meanwhile:he starts to draw, talking the while
literary during the time that:beseeching him, the while his hand she wrung

conjunction

1during the time that; at the same time as:nothing much changed while he was away

2whereas (indicating a contrast):one person wants out, while the other wants the relationship to continue
in spite of the fact that; although:while I wouldn’t recommend a night-time visit, by day the area is full of interest

adverb

during which:the period while the animal remains alive

verb

[with object] (while something away)

pass time in a leisurely manner:a diversion to while away the long afternoons

preposition

Northern English

until:father will be happy while dinner time

Phrases

worth while (or worth one's while): worth the time or effort spent.

Origin:

Old English hwīl 'period of time', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wijl, German Weile; the conjunction is an abbreviation of Old English thā hwīle the 'the while that'

On the distinction between worth while and worthwhile, see worthwhile (usage). See also awhile (usage).

while in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of while in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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