to while
3
6.0
- phrasal verb
- /waɪl/
:
pasar (el tiempo)
- I'm more into nonfiction than fiction, to be honest, and this was one of those books that I just picked up to while away the time on a flight between Denver and L.A.
- to while away
- while away the hours
Examples
-
All my friends, they're all making a difference while we just while away our days producing nothing.
-
And when he's not reading - or carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders - he whiles away the hours painting only the things he is truly fond of: still lives, animals and his most trusted servants - as gods and goddesses of the Hindu mythology.
-
I could while away the hours
-
Then the Back to the Future card game is the perfect way to while away those cold winter nights with friends.
Blog text (4) -
"Well, nothing sprung immediately to mind, but it would while away some time.
Fiction book (1992) -
We figured that it would help to while away the in-transit hours for you, anyway.
Fiction book (1992) -
I while away the hours wandering from stall to stall.
Academic text (2003) -
As a child, I loved spending time in the library and could easily while away a few hours just browsing the shelves or getting stuck in a good book.
Blog text (16) -
Kellar, Houdini, Thurston, and many of the best found inspiration during periods of illness and bed rest, when a relative would bring them a magic set to while away their days.
Fiction book (2002) -
We often gather at the beach to while away the sunny afternoons playing games.
Synonyms
14
9.1
To spend time relaxing with friends or alone without a plan
6
4.5
To spend time in a pleasant, relaxed way to make time pass quickly
How Leisurely
Surface Forms
Etymology
While as a verb comes from the old verb hwilian meaning 'to rest' or 'to pass time', and it is the same root as the noun while, so to 'while away' is to spend time pleasantly and make the hours pass.