Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [hwahyl, wahyl]
- /ʰwaɪl, waɪl/
- /waɪl/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [hwahyl, wahyl]
- /ʰwaɪl, waɪl/
Definitions of while word
- noun while a period or interval of time: to wait a long while; He arrived a short while ago. 1
- noun while Archaic. a particular time or occasion. 1
- preposition while Archaic. until. 1
- verb with object while to cause (time) to pass, especially in some easy or pleasant manner (usually followed by away). 1
- idioms while all the while, at or during this time; all along: She realized all the while that the cake would fall. 1
- idioms while worth one's while, worth one's time, trouble, or expense: The art exhibition that opened yesterday isn't worth your while. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of while
First appearance:
before 900 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; Middle English; Old English hwīl; cognate with Dutch wijl, German weile, Old Norse hvīla, Gothic hweila
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for While
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
while popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 97% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
while usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for while
conjunction while
- as — If something happens as something else happens, it happens at the same time.
- though — for all that; however.
- although — You use although to introduce a subordinate clause which contains a statement which contrasts with the statement in the main clause.
- whereas — a qualifying or introductory statement, especially one having “whereas” as the first word: to read the whereases in the will.
- albeit — You use albeit to introduce a fact or comment which reduces the force or significance of what you have just said.
preposition while
- all along — If something has been true or been present all along, it has been true or been present throughout a period of time.
- in the middle of — at the centre of
- for the time being — the system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other, as past, present, or future; indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another.
- in the course of — If something happens in the course of a particular period of time, it happens during that period of time.
- in the interim — for the time being, in the meantime
adverb while
- insofar — to such an extent (usually followed by as): I will do the work insofar as I am able.
- meantime — the intervening time: The party is Tuesday, but in the meantime I have to shop and prepare the food.
- for the moment — for now
- interregnum — an interval of time between the close of a sovereign's reign and the accession of his or her normal or legitimate successor.
noun while
- time — the system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other, as past, present, or future; indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another.
- period — a rather large interval of time that is meaningful in the life of a person, in history, etc., because of its particular characteristics: a period of illness; a period of great profitability for a company; a period of social unrest in Germany.
- little — small in size; not big; not large; tiny: a little desk in the corner of the room.
- interval — an intervening period of time: an interval of 50 years.
- bit — A bit of something is a small part or section of it.
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