while

Definition

An uncertain duration of time, a period of time.

Etymology

From Middle English whyle, from Old English hwīl, from Proto-West Germanic *hwīlu, from Proto-Germanic *hwīlō (compare Dutch wijl, Low German Wiel, German Weile, Danish hvile (“rest”), Norwegian Bokmål hvile (“rest”)), from Proto-Indo-European *kʷyeh₁- (“to rest”). Cognate with Albanian sillë (“breakfast”), Latin tranquillus, Sanskrit चिर (cirá), Persian شاد (šâd).

Example Sentences

• "He lectured for quite a long while."
• "It’s a long while since anyone lived there, so it’s a ruin now."
• "Do the good that's nearest Though it's dull at whiles."