While: meaning, definitions and examples

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while

 

[ waɪl ]

Conjunction / Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Conjunction

connecting words or phrases

used to indicate a contrast or opposition between two clauses or phrases

Synonyms

whereas, whilst

Examples of usage

  • I like tea, while my sister prefers coffee.
  • She is studying, while her friends are playing.
Context #2 | Noun

period of time

a period of time

Synonyms

moment, time

Examples of usage

  • I worked there for a while.
  • She'll be back in a while.
Context #3 | Verb

to pass the time

spend time in a specified way or in a particular place

Synonyms

pass, spend

Examples of usage

  • I while away the hours reading.
  • They whiled the evening away playing cards.

Translations

Translations of the word "while" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enquanto

🇮🇳 जबकि

🇩🇪 während

🇮🇩 sementara

🇺🇦 поки

🇵🇱 podczas gdy

🇯🇵 〜の間

🇫🇷 pendant que

🇪🇸 mientras

🇹🇷 iken

🇰🇷 동안

🇸🇦 بينما

🇨🇿 zatímco

🇸🇰 kým

🇨🇳 

🇸🇮 medtem ko

🇮🇸 á meðan

🇰🇿 кезінде

🇬🇪 სანამ

🇦🇿 zamanı

🇲🇽 mientras

Etymology

The word 'while' originated in Middle English from the Old English word 'hwīl'. It has been used for centuries in English language, evolving to have different meanings and uses over time. The conjunction usage to indicate contrast has been a common feature of English grammar, while the noun and verb forms have also been widely used in various contexts.

See also: whilst.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #116, this word is extremely common in English. It's a crucial part of basic vocabulary that's used constantly in both spoken and written communication, making it essential for even basic conversations.