I. while 1 S1 W1 /waɪl/ BrE AmE conjunction
1 . during the time that something is happening:
They arrived while we were having dinner.
While she was asleep, thieves broke in and stole her handbag.
She met Andy while working on a production of Carmen.
2 . all the time that something is happening:
Would you look after the children while I do the shopping?
GRAMMAR
In a clause beginning with while that refers to the future, use the present tense, not 'will':
▪
I will enjoy my fame while it lasts (NOT while it will last).
3 . used to emphasize the difference between two situations, activities etc:
Schools in the north tend to be better equipped, while those in the south are relatively poor.
4 . in spite of the fact that SYN although :
While never a big eater, he did snack a lot.
While there was no conclusive evidence, most people thought he was guilty.
5 . while I’m/you’re etc at/about it spoken used to suggest that someone should do something at the same time that they do something else:
Print out what you’ve written, and while you’re at it make a copy for me.
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THESAURUS
▪ while during the time that you are doing something, or something is happening:
I bought a magazine while I was waiting for the train.
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While we were on holiday, my bag was stolen.
▪ meanwhile at the same time as something else is happening:
They’re still working on our bedroom. Meanwhile, we’re sleeping downstairs.
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The Russians, meanwhile, declared war on August 8.
▪ in the meantime during the period of time between now and a future event, or between two events in the past:
More aid is expected soon, but in the meantime these people are going hungry.
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My new job hadn’t started, so in the meantime I tried to write a book.
▪ whilst British English while. Whilst sounds a little more formal than while :
One American plane was forced to land whilst flying over North Korea.
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Whilst all this was going on, the performers were getting ready for the show.
II. while 2 S1 W2 BrE AmE noun
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: hwil ]
1 . a while a period of time, especially a short one:
It takes a while to recover from the operation.
in a while
Mr Thomas will be with you in a while.
for a while
At last, he could relax for a while.
a little/short while
Wait a little while before deciding.
We talked for quite a while (=a fairly long time) on the phone.
2 . all the while all the time that something is happening:
He examined her thoroughly, talking softly all the while.
She continued working, all the while keeping an eye on the clock.
⇨ (every) once in a while at ↑ once 1 (8), ⇨ be worth sb’s while (to do/doing something) at ↑ worth 1 (5), ⇨ make it worth sb’s while at ↑ worth 1 (6)
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THESAURUS
▪ when at or during the time that something happens:
Call me when you get home.
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When I got here, the place was empty.
▪ while during the time that something is happening – used to emphasize that something is continuing:
I’ll make the salad while you set the table.
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While we were on holiday, our house was burgled.
▪ whenever used in order to emphasize that something always happens when another thing happens:
He visits his mother whenever he can.
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You can come and talk to me whenever you have a problem.
▪ by the time used in order to say that one thing has or will have already happened when something else happens:
By the time a child is five, he will have watched hundreds of hours of television.
III. while 3 BrE AmE verb
while away the hours/evening/days etc to spend time in a pleasant and lazy way:
The evenings were whiled away in endless games of cards.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ when at or during the time that something happens:
Call me when you get home.
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When I got here, the place was empty.
▪ while during the time that something is happening – used to emphasize that something is continuing:
I’ll make the salad while you set the table.
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While we were on holiday, our house was burgled.
▪ whenever used in order to emphasize that something always happens when another thing happens:
He visits his mother whenever he can.
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You can come and talk to me whenever you have a problem.
▪ by the time used in order to say that one thing has or will have already happened when something else happens:
By the time a child is five, he will have watched hundreds of hours of television.