while

while
I [[t](h)waɪl[/t]] CONJUNCTION USES
♦
(Usually pronounced [[t](h)wa͟ɪl[/t]] for meaning 4. The form whilst is also used in formal or literary English, especially British English.)
1) CONJ-SUBORD If something happens while something else is happening, the two things are happening at the same time.

They were grinning and watching while one man laughed and poured beer over the head of another...

I sat on the settee to unwrap the package while he stood by...

Racing was halted for an hour while the track was repaired...

Her parents could help with child care while she works.

2) CONJ-SUBORD If something happens while something else happens, the first thing happens at some point during the time that the second thing is happening.

The two ministers have yet to meet, but may do so while in New York...

Never apply water to a burn from an electric shock while the casualty is still in contact with the electric current.

3) CONJ-SUBORD You use while at the beginning of a clause to introduce information which contrasts with information in the main clause.

Marianne was tempted to turn the large rooms into traditional French-style salons, while Howard was in favour of a typically English look...

The first two services are free, while the third costs ₤35.00.

Syn:
4) CONJ-SUBORD You use while, before making a statement, in order to introduce information that partly conflicts with your statement.

While the numbers of such developments are relatively small, the potential market is large...

While the modelling business is by no means easy to get into, the good model, male or female, will always be in demand...

While the news, so far, has been good, there may be days ahead when it is bad.

Syn:
II [[t](h)wa͟ɪl[/t]] NOUN AND VERB USES
♦♦
whiles, whiling, whiled
(Please look at category 3 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)
1) N-SING: a N, usu adj N A while is a period of time.

They walked on in silence for a while...

He was married a little while ago...

Working at low intensity means that you can continue to perform the activity for a long while.

Syn:
2) PHRASE: PHR with cl You use all the while in order to say that something happens continually or that it happens throughout the time when something else is happening.

All the while the people at the next table watched me eat.

3) once in a while → see once
to make it worth your while → see worth
Phrasal Verbs:

English dictionary. 2008.

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Synonyms:
, , / / / / , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • While — While, n. [AS. hw[=i]l; akin to OS. hw[=i]l, hw[=i]la, OFries. hw[=i]le, D. wigl, G. weile, OHG. w[=i]la, hw[=i]la, hw[=i]l, Icel. hv[=i]la a bed, hv[=i]ld rest, Sw. hvila, Dan. hvile, Goth. hweila a time, and probably to L. quietus quiet, and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • While — and whilst are conjunctions whose primary meaning is during the time that . An example is::The days were hot while we were on vacation.:I read a magazine whilst I was waiting. While and whilst can nowadays legitimately be used in the contrastive… …   Wikipedia

  • While — While, conj. 1. During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that; as, while I write, you sleep. While I have time and space. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while you… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • While as — While While, conj. 1. During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that; as, while I write, you sleep. While I have time and space. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • While — While, prep. Until; till. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] [1913 Webster] I may be conveyed into your chamber; I ll lie under your bed while midnight. Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • while — while, wile, beguile, fleet mean to pass time, especially leisure time, without being bored. One whiles or wiles away a space of time by causing it to be filled by something pleasant, diverting, or amusing {they can while away an hour very… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • While — While, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whiled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Whiling}.] To cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or disgust; to spend or pass; usually followed by away. [1913 Webster] The lovely lady whiled the hours away. Longfellow.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • While — While, v. i. To loiter. [R.] Spectator. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • while — index ad interim, duration, period Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • while — while1 W1S1 [waıl] conj 1.) during the time that something is happening ▪ They arrived while we were having dinner. ▪ While she was asleep, thieves broke in and stole her handbag. ▪ She met Andy while working on a production of Carmen. see usage… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • while — while1 [ waıl, hwaıl ] conjunction *** 1. ) at a moment during the time that something is happening: Someone called while you were out. While in Australia, she met and married Bert. She had sprained her ankle while playing tennis. 2. ) at the… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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