Search results for 'while':

while conj 1 at the same time as • She held the bowl while I stirred. 2 for as long as; for the whole time that • guards us while we sleep. 3 during the time that • happened while we were abroad. 4 whereas • He likes camping, while she prefers sailing. 5 although • While I see your point, I still cannot agree. adverb at or during which • all the months while I was ill. noun a space or lapse of time • after a while. verb (whiled, whiling) (often while away something) to pass (time or hours, etc) in a leisurely or undemanding way. all the while during all the time that. every once in a while or once in a while now and then; sometimes but not often. for a while for a long time • I haven't been to the cinema for a while. in a while or little while in a short time • I'm going out in a while anyway. in between whiles during the intervals. make it worth someone's while colloq to reward them well for their trouble. worth while or one's while worth one's time and trouble.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon hwil.