While

/waɪl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A period of time.

It took a while to finish the project.

For a time.

Stay for a while and chat with us.

conjunction

During the time that; at the same time as.

I read a book while waiting for my appointment.

Although; whereas.

While he is very talented, he still has much to learn.

Middle English whil, from Old English hwīl, of Germanic origin.

for a while

For a short or unspecified period of time.

a while back

Some time ago.

all the while

During the entire time.

meanwhile

At the same time, during the intervening time.

whilst

A conjunction used in the same sense as while, primarily in British English.

while away

To spend time in a relaxing or enjoyable way.

In a little bit

I'll be there in a while.

Hang out for a bit

Let's chill for a while.