/ waɪl; NAmE / conjunction , noun , verb
■ conjunction (also formal whilst / waɪlst/ especially in BrE )
1.
during the time that sth is happening
SYN when :
We must have been burgled while we were asleep.
Her parents died while she was still at school.
While I was waiting at the bus stop, three buses went by in the opposite direction.
2.
at the same time as sth else is happening :
You can go swimming while I'm having lunch.
shoes mended while you wait
3.
used to contrast two things :
While Tom's very good at science, his brother is absolutely hopeless.
4.
(used at the beginning of a sentence) although; despite the fact that ... :
While I am willing to help, I do not have much time available.
5.
( NEngE ) until :
I waited while six o'clock.
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IDIOMS
- while you're / I'm etc. at it
■ noun
[ sing. ] a period of time :
They chatted for a while .
I'll be back in a little while (= a short time) .
I haven't seen him for quite a while (= a fairly long time) .
They walked back together, talking all the while (= all the time) .
•
IDIOMS
see once adverb , worth adjective
■ verb
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- while sth away
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English hwīl period of time , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wijl , German Weile ; the conjunction is an abbreviation of Old English thā hwīle the the while that .