while
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while
(wīl, hwīl)n.
1. A period of time: stay for a while; sang all the while. See Usage Note at awhile.
2. The time, effort, or trouble taken in doing something: The project wasn't worth my while.
conj.
1. As long as; during the time that: It was lovely while it lasted.
2. In spite of the fact that; although: While that guitar may look nice, it's not a very good instrument.
3. And on the contrary: The soles are leather, while the uppers are canvas.
tr.v. whiled, whil·ing, whiles
To spend (time) idly or pleasantly: while the hours away.
Usage Note: As a conjunction, while is used to indicate that two events are happening at the same time (While I was preparing the hamburger patties, she sliced the onions and tomatoes), but it can also be used to contrast two clauses in a nontemporal way (While the "h" is silent in the word "honest," it is pronounced in the word "hostile"). While has been used in this nontemporal sense for hundreds of years, and the latter sentence was judged acceptable by 75 percent of the Usage Panel in our 2012 survey. The Panel was somewhat less accepting, however, of this use of while in a sentence where it could potentially be misread as having a temporal meaning (31 percent disapproved of the sentence She said she wanted to go to a movie, while he proposed seeing a play). And 43 percent disapproved of a sentence in which the two contrasting clauses are explicitly not simultaneous: While the Tigers beat the Cubs last week, this week the Cubs beat the Tigers. To avoid ambiguity or an unintended suggestion of simultaneity, choose a different conjunction, such as although or whereas.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
while
(waɪl)conj
1. (subordinating) at the same time that: please light the fire while I'm cooking.
2. (subordinating) all the time that: I stay inside while it's raining.
3. (subordinating) in spite of the fact that: while I agree about his brilliance I still think he's rude.
4. (coordinating) whereas; and in contrast: flats are expensive, while houses are cheap.
5. (subordinating; used with a gerund) during the activity of: while walking I often whistle.
prep, conj
dialect Scot and Northern English another word for until: you'll have to wait while Monday for these sheets; you'll never make any progress while you listen to me.
n
6. (usually used in adverbial phrases) a period or interval of time: once in a long while.
7. trouble or time (esp in the phrase worth one's while): it's hardly worth your while to begin work today.
8. the while at that time: he was working the while.
[Old English hwīl; related to Old High German hwīla (German Weile), Gothic hveila, Latin quiēs peace, tranquīlus tranquil]
Usage: It was formerly considered incorrect to use while to mean in spite of the fact that or whereas, but these uses have now become acceptable
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
while
(ʰwaɪl, waɪl)n., conj., prep., v. whiled, whil•ing. n.
1. an interval of time: a long while ago.
conj. 2. during or in the time that: He ate ice cream while he waited.
3. throughout the time that; as long as.
4. even though; although: While they are related, they don't get along.
5. at the same time that: She exercises while he grows fat.
prep. 6. Archaic. until.
v.t. 7. to cause (time) to pass, esp. in some pleasant manner: to while away the hours.
Idioms: worth one's while, worth one's time, trouble, or expense.
[before 900; Middle English; Old English hwīl, c. Old Saxon, Old High German hwīla, Gothic hweila while, time, Old Norse hvīla place of rest]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
while
1. used in time clauses
If one thing happens while another thing is happening, the two things happen at the same time.
He stayed with me while he was looking for a new house.
While I was out she was trying to reach me on the phone.
2. 'while' in concessive clauses
While has a special use which is not related to time. You use it to introduce a clause that contrasts with something else that you are saying.
Miguel loved sports while Julio preferred to read a book.
While I have some sympathy for these people, I think they went too far.
3. 'a while'
A while is a period of time.
After a while, my eyes got used to the darkness.
Let's just sit down for a while.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
while
Past participle: whiling
Gerund: whiled
| Imperative |
|---|
| while |
| while |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. | while - a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition; "he was here for a little while"; "I need to rest for a piece"; "a spell of good weather"; "a patch of bad weather" time - an indefinite period (usually marked by specific attributes or activities); "he waited a long time"; "the time of year for planting"; "he was a great actor in his time" cold snap, cold spell - a spell of cold weather hot spell - a spell of hot weather snap - a spell of cold weather; "a cold snap in the middle of May" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
while
conjunction
1. at the same time as, during the time that, for the period that Her parents look after her daughter while she works.
noun
while something away (with time as object) pass, spend, kill, occupy, use up, beguile She whiled away the hours watching old movies on TV.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
while
nounverb
To pass (time) without working or in avoiding work.Also used with away:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
byťchvílekdyžzatímco
mensselvomstykke tidtid
dumkvankam
ajanjaksosillä aikaa kun
dokneko vrijeme
ellenbenmialatt
sementara
á meîanenda òótttími, stund
･･･する間間
...하는 동안에잠시
dum
apsimokakolvalandėlėverta
brīdislabs brītiņšlai ganlaika sprīdistobrīd, kad
čepravmedtem ko
medanstundtagfastän
ขณะที่ชั่วขณะหนึ่ง
khoảng thời giantrong khi
while
[waɪl]A. N
1. a while (= some moments) → un ratito; (= some minutes, hours) → un rato; (= some weeks, months) → un tiempo
after a while → al cabo de un rato, al rato
all the while → todo el tiempo
I lived in Paris for a while → viví un tiempo en París
let it simmer for a while → deje que hierva un rato a fuego lento
it will be a good while before he gets here → tardará (un rato) en venir aún, todavía falta (un rato) para que venga (LAm)
a little while ago → hace poco
a long while ago → hace mucho
once in a while → de vez en cuando
it takes quite a while → lleva tiempo
in a short while → dentro de poco, al rato (LAm)
stay a while with us → quédate un rato con nosotros
the while → entretanto, mientras tanto
he looked at me the while → mientras tanto me estaba mirando
after a while → al cabo de un rato, al rato
all the while → todo el tiempo
I lived in Paris for a while → viví un tiempo en París
let it simmer for a while → deje que hierva un rato a fuego lento
it will be a good while before he gets here → tardará (un rato) en venir aún, todavía falta (un rato) para que venga (LAm)
a little while ago → hace poco
a long while ago → hace mucho
once in a while → de vez en cuando
it takes quite a while → lleva tiempo
in a short while → dentro de poco, al rato (LAm)
stay a while with us → quédate un rato con nosotros
the while → entretanto, mientras tanto
he looked at me the while → mientras tanto me estaba mirando
2.
it is worth while to ask whether → vale la pena preguntar si ...
we'll make it worth your while → te compensaremos generosamente
it's not worth my while → no me vale la pena
it is worth while to ask whether → vale la pena preguntar si ...
we'll make it worth your while → te compensaremos generosamente
it's not worth my while → no me vale la pena
B. CONJ
1. (= during the time that) → mientras
while this was happening → mientras pasaba esto
she fell asleep while reading → se durmió mientras leía
while you are away → mientras estés fuera
to drink while on duty → beber estando de servicio
while this was happening → mientras pasaba esto
she fell asleep while reading → se durmió mientras leía
while you are away → mientras estés fuera
to drink while on duty → beber estando de servicio
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
while
[ˈhwaɪl] n → moment m
for a while → pendant un moment
I lived in London for a while → J'ai vécu à Londres pendant un moment.
after a while → au bout d'un moment
quite a while → un bon moment
I haven't seen him for quite a while → Cela fait un bon moment que je ne l'ai pas vu.
a while ago → il y a un moment
He was here a while ago → Il était là il y a un moment.
a book that I read a little while ago
BUT un livre que j'ai lu il y a peu de temps.
quite a while ago → il y a un bon moment
in a while → dans un moment
all the while → pendant tout ce temps-là
for a while → pendant un moment
I lived in London for a while → J'ai vécu à Londres pendant un moment.
after a while → au bout d'un moment
quite a while → un bon moment
I haven't seen him for quite a while → Cela fait un bon moment que je ne l'ai pas vu.
a while ago → il y a un moment
He was here a while ago → Il était là il y a un moment.
a book that I read a little while ago
BUT un livre que j'ai lu il y a peu de temps.
quite a while ago → il y a un bon moment
in a while → dans un moment
all the while → pendant tout ce temps-là
to be worth sb's while → valoir la peine, Ne discute pas avec lui, cela n'en vaut pas la peine.
It's worth your while to book in advance → Cela vaut la peine de réserver à l'avance.
It's worth your while to book in advance → Cela vaut la peine de réserver à l'avance.
conj
(at the same time as) → pendant que
You hold the torch while I look inside → Tiens la lampe électrique pendant que je regarde à l'intérieur.
You hold the torch while I look inside → Tiens la lampe électrique pendant que je regarde à l'intérieur.
(when) → pendant que
While I was in London she was in Paris → Pendant que j'étais à Londres, elle était à Paris.
She never went there while her husband was alive
BUT Elle ne n'y est jamais allé du vivant de son mari.
There was never any trouble while we were living there
BUT Il n'y a jamais eu de problème quand nous vivions là-bas.
While I was in London she was in Paris → Pendant que j'étais à Londres, elle était à Paris.
She never went there while her husband was alive
BUT Elle ne n'y est jamais allé du vivant de son mari.
There was never any trouble while we were living there
BUT Il n'y a jamais eu de problème quand nous vivions là-bas.
(= as, whereas) → alors que
Isobel is very dynamic, while Kay is more laid-back → Isobel est très dynamique, alors que Kay est plus relax.
Isobel is very dynamic, while Kay is more laid-back → Isobel est très dynamique, alors que Kay est plus relax.
(= though) (with clause) → quoique + subj; (with adjective) → quoique
While I'm fond of him, I don't actually want to marry him → Quoique je l'aime bien, je ne veux pas vraiment l'épouser.
Your letter, while complete in other regards, avoided the subject of cost → Votre lettre, quoique complète à d'autres égards, évitait la question du coût.
While I'm fond of him, I don't actually want to marry him → Quoique je l'aime bien, je ne veux pas vraiment l'épouser.
Your letter, while complete in other regards, avoided the subject of cost → Votre lettre, quoique complète à d'autres égards, évitait la question du coût.
while away
vt sep [+ time] → passerCollins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
while
n
→ Weile f, → Weilchen nt (inf); for a while → (für) eine Weile, eine Zeit lang; (= a short moment) → (für) einen Augenblick or Moment; a good or long while → eine ganze or lange Weile, eine ganze Zeit lang; for/after quite a while → ziemlich or recht lange, (für) eine geraume/nach einer geraumen Weile (geh); a little or short while → ein Weilchen (inf), → kurze Zeit; it’ll be ready in a short while → es wird bald fertig sein; a little while ago → vor Kurzem; a long while ago → vor einer ganzen Weile, vor längerer or langer Zeit; some while ago → vor einiger Zeit; all the while → die ganze Zeit (über)
the while (liter) → derweil, unterdessen
conj
→ während; (= as long as) → solange; she fell asleep while reading → sie schlief beim Lesen ein; he became famous while still young → er wurde berühmt, als er noch jung war; you must not drink while on duty → Sie dürfen im Dienst nicht trinken
(= although) while one must admit there are difficulties … → man muss zwar zugeben, dass es Schwierigkeiten gibt, trotzdem …; while the text is not absolutely perfect, nevertheless … → obwohl (zwar) der Text nicht einwandfrei ist, … trotzdem; it is difficult to be fair while at the same time being honest → es ist schwierig, fair und gleichzeitig auch gerecht zu sein
(= whereas) → während
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
while
[waɪl]1. n
a. a while → un po' (di tempo)
for a little while → per un po'
for a long while → per un bel po', a lungo
after a while → dopo un po'
for a while → per un po', per un certo periodo
in a while → tra poco
once in a while → ogni tanto, una volta ogni tanto
it will be a good while before he gets here → gli ci vorrà un bel po' (di tempo) per arrivare qui
a little while ago → poco fa
in between whiles → nel frattempo
all the while → tutto il tempo
for a little while → per un po'
for a long while → per un bel po', a lungo
after a while → dopo un po'
for a while → per un po', per un certo periodo
in a while → tra poco
once in a while → ogni tanto, una volta ogni tanto
it will be a good while before he gets here → gli ci vorrà un bel po' (di tempo) per arrivare qui
a little while ago → poco fa
in between whiles → nel frattempo
all the while → tutto il tempo
b. we'll make it worth your while → faremo in modo che non ti penta
it might be worth your while to ... → forse ti converrebbe...
it might be worth your while to ... → forse ti converrebbe...
2. conj
a. (during the time that) → mentre; (as long as) → finché, mentre
while this was happening → mentre avveniva questo
she fell asleep while reading → si addormentò mentre stava leggendo
it won't happen while I'm here → non accadrà finché sono qui io
while this was happening → mentre avveniva questo
she fell asleep while reading → si addormentò mentre stava leggendo
it won't happen while I'm here → non accadrà finché sono qui io
b. (although) → benché + sub, sebbene + sub, anche se
while I agree with what you have said → benché sia d'accordo or anche se sono d'accordo con ciò che hai detto
while I agree with what you have said → benché sia d'accordo or anche se sono d'accordo con ciò che hai detto
c. (whereas) → mentre
I enjoy sport, while he prefers reading → a me piace lo sport, mentre lui preferisce la lettura
I enjoy sport, while he prefers reading → a me piace lo sport, mentre lui preferisce la lettura
while away vt + adv (time, hours) → far passare
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
while
(wail) conjunction (also whilst (wailst) ).
1. during the time that. I saw him while I was out walking.
2. although. While I sympathize, I can't really do very much to help.
noun a space of time. It took me quite a while; It's a long while since we saw her.
while away to pass (time) without boredom. He whiled away the time by reading.
worth one's while worth one's time and trouble. It's not worth your while reading this book, because it isn't accurate.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
while
→ بَيْنَما, فَتْرَة chvíle, když mens, tid während, Weile ενώ, χρονικό διάστημα mientras, rato ajanjakso, sillä aikaa kun moment, pendant que dok, neko vrijeme mentre, tempo ･･･する間, 間 ...하는 동안에, 잠시 terwijl, tijdje så lenge, stund chwila, podczas, gdy enquanto, momento время, пока medan, stund ขณะที่, ชั่วขณะหนึ่ง iken, sırada khoảng thời gian, trong khi 一会儿, 虽然Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
while
adv. mientras, un rato, algún tiempo;
for a ___ → temporalmente;
not for a ___ → por ahora no.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009