while

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Translations 1.4 Conjunction 1.4.1 Translations 1.5 Verb 1.5.1 Derived terms 1.5.2 Related terms 1.5.3 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Old English hwīl.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ʍaɪl/, SAMPA: /WaIl/
• (US) IPA: /waɪl/, SAMPA: /waIl/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

  Rhymes: -aɪl

[edit] Noun

while (uncountable)

1. A certain duration of time, a period of time.

   He lectured for quite a long while.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Conjunction

Wikipedia

while

1. During the same time that.

   He was sleeping while I was singing.

   • 1948, Carey McWilliams, North from Mexico / The Spanish-Speaking People of The United States, J. B. Lippincott Company, page 25,

     While De Anza was exploring the Bay of San Francisco, seeking a site for the presidio, the American colonists on the eastern seaboard, three thousand miles away, were celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

2. although

   This case, while interesting, is a bit frustrating.

3. (Northern England) until

   I'll wait while you've finished painting.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to while (third-person singular simple present whiles, present participle whiling, simple past and past participle whiled)

1. To pass time idly.

[edit] Derived terms

• while away
• meanwhile
• the while

[edit] Related terms

• whilst

[edit] Translations