awhile
English
Etymology
Old English ane (“(for) a”) hwile (“while”)
Pronunciation
Adverb
awhile (not comparable)
- For some time; for a short time.
- Sit with me awhile.
- c. 1596–97, William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice[1], act 1, scene 1:
- Gratiano:
[…] Fare ye well awhile:
I'll end my exhortation after dinner.
- (US, Pennsylvania Dutch English) In the meantime; during an implicit ongoing process.
- Can I get you a drink awhile?
Usage notes
Since awhile means “for a while”, it often considered incorrect to use it with a preceding preposition, as one is already included: instead of “for awhile”, one should prefer either “for a while” or simply “awhile”. However, “awhile” as object for a preposition is used by renowned writers, is allowed by Merriam-Webster, and is consistent with how other adverbs of time and place are employed.
In Pennsylvania Dutch English, awhile is typically always used to convey such sense; the word is separated as “a while” for the first sense, whether preceded by a preposition or not. Compare “You may sit awhile” (meaning the person can sit while they are waiting) and “You may sit a while” (meaning they can sit for a length of time).
Synonyms
- (for some time): for a minute, momentarily; see also Thesaurus:temporarily
- (in the meantime): for the moment, meanwhile, meanwhilst, the while
Related terms
Translations
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