Definition Synonyms
Definition of while - Reverso English Dictionary
Conjunction
1.
simultaneityat the same time that something else happens
- She read a book while he cooked dinner.
2.
durationUK until a certain timeUK
- Stay here while I get the car.
3.
contrastalthough something is true
- While it was raining, they decided to go for a walk.
Noun
1.
timeperiod of time of uncertain length
- We waited for a while before the bus arrived.
2.
generalDated US effort or trouble in a taskDated US
- Helping her move was worth my while.
Expressions with while
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spend time pleasantly, often to make waiting easier
We while away the afternoon by playing cards.
some time ago in the past
I met him a while back at the conference.
in a short time from now
The meeting will start in a little while.
expresses enjoyment of something that has ended
The concert was amazing, it was nice while it lasted.
used to add another point related to what is being discussed
While we're about it, your last email was unclear.
used to add another request during the same task
Could you mail this letter, and while you're at it, buy stamps?
stop or leave a situation while conditions are still favorable
She decided to leave while the going's good to avoid future troubles.
to act quickly while an opportunity lasts
You should make hay while the sun shines and apply for the job now.
stop an activity while still successful or before losing advantage
You should quit while ahead before you start losing money.
stop an activity at a good point to avoid future loss
After three successful rounds, he chose to quit while he was ahead.
stop doing something before it gets worse
He decided to quit while you're ahead and left the casino.
cease an activity to maintain a favorable position
He decided to stop while ahead in the game.
act quickly on an opportunity while conditions are good
Strike while the iron is hot and apply for the job now.
while doing one action, also do another related action
While he is at it, Mark should also back up the old files.
act now because the situation may soon get worse
Sell the old car while the going is good.
right now, before time runs out
Let's go dancing while we're young and still have energy!
good or rewarding enough to make the effort worthwhile
Helping her was worth her while.
leave a situation before it becomes worse or harder
You should get out while the getting is good.
leave a situation before it gets worse
You should get out while the going's good.
happens very rarely or infrequently
I only see him once in a great while.
stop an activity when still successful
He decided to quit while you're winning at the poker table.
act quickly when conditions are favorable
You should strike while the iron is still hot and apply now.
spend time doing pleasant things until time has passed
We while away the hours playing cards by the fire.
to develop a plan while actively working on it
They had to build the plane while flying it during the startup phase.
Origin of while
Old English, hwil (a period of time)
Terms with while included in their meaning
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sleep
see imaginary events while sleeping
concurrent activity
while something else is happening
time
having happened a short while ago
travel
portable cases for carrying personal items while traveling
using fingers
use fingers to keep track of numbers while counting
sitting posture
place one leg over the other while sitting
standing posture
move one leg over the other while standing
physical contact
holding each other's hands while walking
embrace
while being held closely by someone
presence
remain in a place while others leave
sleep behavior
say words out loud while sleeping without knowing
carrying things
while holding many things in the arms
shirtless action
while not wearing a shirt on the upper body
self correction
marks correction of one's own words while speaking
during
while something is happening
daydream
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
sleep
experiencing dreams while asleep
literature
intended for use while studying text or books
motion
movement along a surface while staying in contact
comparison
refer to one group while comparing it with another group
during process
while doing something, not before starting it
cooking
oven-proof tray for holding foods while baking
bathing tool
handheld sponge for cleaning the body while bathing
swimming accessory
tight-fitting cap worn to keep hair dry while swimming
Examples of while in a sentence
She laughed while watching the comedy show. Wait here while I finish my meeting. Hold this for me while I pack. While he is talented, he lacks experience. While the sun was shining, it was still cold. It took a while to finish the task.
She stayed for a while and then left. The project was not worth the while. Studying for the exam proved to be worth my while.
View all translations of while
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:pendant que, moment, ...
- German:während, Weile, ...
- Italian:mentre, periodo, ...
- Spanish:mientras, rato, ...
- Portuguese:enquanto, um tempo, ...
- Chinese:当, 一会儿, ...
- Japanese:間に, しばらく, ...
- Arabic:بينما, فَتْرَة, ...
- Hebrew:בְּזְמַן שֶׁ, פֶּרֶק זְמַן, ...
- Russian:пока, некоторое время, ...
- Ukrainian:поки, деякий час, ...
- Hindi:जब, कुछ समय, ...
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