while+away

  • 21while — 1 /waIl/ conjunction 1 during the time that something is happening: They arrived while we were having dinner. | He got malaria while travelling in Africa. 2 if something happens while something else is happening, it happens at the same time as it …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 22while — I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwīl; akin to Old High German hwīla time, Latin quies rest, quiet Date: before 12th century 1. a period of time especially when short and marked by the occurrence of an action or a condition ;… …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 23while — I [[t](h)waɪl[/t]] CONJUNCTION USES ♦ (Usually pronounced [[t](h)wa͟ɪl[/t]] for meaning 4. The form whilst is also used in formal or literary English, especially British English.) 1) CONJ SUBORD If something happens while something else is… …

    English dictionary

  • 24while — I UK [waɪl] / US / US [hwaɪl] conjunction *** 1) at a moment during the time that something is happening Someone called while you were out. While in Australia, she met and married Bert. She had sprained her ankle while playing tennis. 2) at the… …

    English dictionary

  • 25while — [[t](h)waɪl, waɪl[/t]] n. conj. prep. v. whiled, whil•ing 1) an interval of time: a long while ago[/ex] 2) fun during or in the time that: He ate ice cream while he waited[/ex] 3) fun throughout the time that; as long as 4) fun even though;… …

    From formal English to slang

  • 26while — /waɪl / (say wuyl) noun 1. a space of time: a long while; a while ago. –conjunction Also, whilst. 2. during or in the time that. 3. throughout the time that, or as long as. 4. at the same time that (implying opposition or contrast): while she… …

  • 27while —    Oiai, oi, i, i ka manawa, i ka wā. See during, Gram. 11.1. While I, ia u, A while ago, aku nei.     To while away the time, ho ohala manawa; kūkahekahe (pleasantly).     While there is time, oi ola honua …

    English-Hawaiian dictionary

  • 28while — 1. noun we chatted for a while Syn: time, spell, stretch, stint, span, interval, period; duration, phase, patch 2. verb tennis helped to while away the time Syn: pass, spend, occupy, use up …

    Thesaurus of popular words

  • 29while — 1. noun we chatted for a while Syn: time, spell, stretch, stint, span, interval, period; Brit.; informal patch 2. verb tennis helped to while away the time Syn: pass, spend, occupy …

    Synonyms and antonyms dictionary

  • 30While — While, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whiled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Whiling}.] To cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or disgust; to spend or pass; usually followed by away. [1913 Webster] The lovely lady whiled the hours away. Longfellow.… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English