while

/waɪl/

conjunctionnoun★Intermediate

general

During the same time that something else is happening

He watched TV while eating dinner.

The two actions happened simultaneously.

💡

Often used to contrast two actions happening at the same time.

general

Although, whereas (introducing a contrast)

While I enjoy reading, she prefers watching movies.

This shows a difference in preferences between the two people.

💡

Can sometimes be replaced with 'whereas' in formal writing.

general

A period of time (noun)

She worked for a while before taking a break.

She worked for a short period of time before resting.

💡

When used as a noun, it typically refers to a short, unspecified time.

Collocations

while awayto spend time doing somethingfor a whilefor a short period of timeall the whileduring the entire time

all the whilephrase

during the entire time

for a whilephrase

for a short period of time

Remember that 'while' can be both a conjunction (introducing a clause) and a noun (referring to a period of time).

When 'while' is used as a conjunction, it can indicate either simultaneous actions or a contrast between two ideas.

Old English 'hwīl', meaning 'a time, period, or space of time'

When used as a conjunction, it can introduce a contrast or show simultaneous actions. As a noun, it refers to a short period of time.

while

time or period

root

English Dictionary