while

Examples

• All

• And it took them a while to play their first show.

• And for quite a while people studied hot gases.

• But yeah, I followed you for quite a while just to to learn.

• Alright, maybe we'll go to the park in a little while, okay?

  Rampage (1987)

• I think it will take a little while before Richard and I can trust one another.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Okay, well, we should find a way to get comfortable, 'cause I think we're gonna be up here for a while.

  Fall (2022)

• The boys hung around for a little while and then went on their way.

  Fiction book (1990)

• I haven't done this in a while.

  All of Us Strangers (2023)

• You've been in here a while.

  Jack Be Nimble (2022)

• We played chess for a while before deciding to take a break.

Synonyms

S

spell

vswhile

109 2.7

A short period of time when something happens, like bad weather

is broader meaning any short time marked by an action or condition

Antonyms

E

eternity

224 5.8

Time that never ends, often imagined after death

Idioms

F

for a while

∞ 1.0

For a short time

O

once in a while

427 1.6

Sometimes, but not very often

A

all the while

45 2.9

During the whole time that something is happening

S

to strike while the iron is hot

• Informal

3 4.7

Do something quickly to use a good chance before it ends

M

to make hay while the sun shines

• Informal

1 5.8

Act while a good chance is still there

B

build the plane while flying it

• Informal

9.4

Make or improve something while people already use it, fixing problems as you go

F

to fix the roof while the sun is shining

• Informal

6.5

Take action now while things are good

W

while the sun is shining

5.3

Use a good chance before it ends

How Long

age

332 7.7

long time

∞ 1.0

period

∞ 2.1

while

∞ 1.0

moment

∞ 1.0

instant

232 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology