Sekirov Dictionary

while

/ʍaɪl/

conjunction 4
noun 3
verb 3
preposition 1
forms 5
phrases 6

conjunction4

•
at the same time as
- He was sleeping while I was singing.
- Driving while intoxicated is against the law.
•
Although.
- This case, while interesting, is a bit frustrating.
- While I would love to help, I am very busy at the moment.
•
As long as.
- While you're at school you may live at home.
- While there's quiet I can sleep.
•
(Scotland, Northern-England) Until.
- I'll wait while you've finished painting.

noun3

•
An uncertain duration of time, a period of time.
- He lectured for quite a long while.
- It’s a long while since anyone lived there, so it’s a ruin now.
An uncertain long period of time
(Philippines) An uncertain short moment.

verb3

•
[in compounds] To pass (time) idly.
- I whiled away the hours whilst waiting for him to arrive
•
To occupy or entertain (someone) in order to let time pass.
- In other worlds I whiled me now Through many a dark night long. — 2010
•
(no longer used) To elapse, to pass.
- The tedious hours whiled slowly on, 'till the succeeding afternoon, when the expected carriage made its appearance much sooner than they had promised themselves. — 1764

preposition1

•
(Scotland, Northern-England) Until.
- I may be conveyed into your chamber; I'll lie under your bed while midnight. — 1613

forms

whiled · whiling · whiles · whilest · whiles

Phrases with while

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