whileconjunction
uk/waɪl/us/waɪl/while conjunction (DURING)
A2 also formal whilst, during the time that, or at the same time as:
I read it while you were drying your hair.
While I was in Italy I went to see Alessandro.
I thought I heard him come in while we were having dinner.
"I'm going to the post office." "While you're there can you get me some stamps?"
More examples
- I thought I'd take advantage of the sports facilities while I'm here.
- I found these photos while I was cleaning out my cupboards.
- I'm acting as deputy while the boss is away.
- I didn't drink at all while I was pregnant.
- I gained a lot of weight while I was on holiday.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Simultaneous and consecutive
- accompany
- all the while idiom
- along
- along the way idiom
- alternate
- go
- in rotation idiom
- in tandem idiom
- in the process idiom
- live
- no sooner ... than idiom
- once
- over
- sync
- synchronous
- the minute (that) idiom
- through
- throughout
- together
- under
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while conjunction (ALTHOUGH)
B2 also formal whilst despite the fact that; although:
While I accept that he's not perfect in many respects, I do actually like the man.
While I fully understand your point of view, I also have some sympathy with Michael's.
More examples
- While your work has improved greatly, there are still some areas that concern me.
- While I'd like to accept your offer, I'm unable to at the present time.
- While I admire your courage, it's sometimes better not to get involved.
- While I'd be willing to help you on this occasion, I may not always be able to in future.
- While I'm reluctant to make a fuss, I feel I really must complain.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Linguistics: connecting words which express a contrast
- again
- any way you slice it idiom
- at any rate idiom
- at least idiom
- best
- but
- disjunctive
- given
- however
- least
- might
- never
- nevertheless
- no thanks to sb idiom
- rate
- seeing (that)
- slice
- though
- tooth
- when
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while conjunction (BUT)
B1 compared with the fact that; but:
He gets £50,000 a year while I get a meagre £20,000!
Tom is very extrovert and confident while Katy's shy and quiet.
I do all the housework while he just does the dishes now and again.
More examples
- Walnut is a hard wood, while pine is soft.
- He likes football, while I prefer rugby.
- I get 25 days holiday a year, while she gets over 50.
- Simon will have steak, while I'll have the fish.
- He wanted to go the party, while I wanted to stay in.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Linguistics: connecting words which express a contrast
- again
- any way you slice it idiom
- at any rate idiom
- at least idiom
- best
- but
- disjunctive
- given
- however
- least
- might
- never
- nevertheless
- no thanks to sb idiom
- rate
- seeing (that)
- slice
- though
- tooth
- when
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whilenoun
uk/waɪl/us/waɪl/a while
More examples
- I lived on my own for a while but I missed the companionship of others.
- I'm going to concentrate on my writing for a while.
- We had tea, and afterwards we sat in the garden for a while.
- We made a deliberate decision to live apart for a while.
- My suitcase began to feel really heavy after a while.
B1 a length of time:
I only stayed for a short while.
You were there quite a while (= a long time), weren't you?
"When did that happen?" "Oh, it was a while ago (= a long time ago).
I haven't seen him for a while (= for a long time).
I'll be fine in a while (= soon).
See also
worthwhile
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Periods of time - general words
- at/in one sitting idiom
- day
- duration
- free time
- gap
- interval
- length
- lifetime
- making
- me time
- period
- rest
- run
- shortly
- slot
- spasm
- spell
- stretch
- term
- timescale
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Idiom(s)
all the while