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How to pronounce while
Say it like this: /wæl/. Listen to real recordings below and compare how it sounds in different accents.
What does while mean?
nounAn uncertain duration of time, a period of time.
“We had to wait a short while.”
An uncertain long period of time
“I'm afraid it will be a while until the doctor can see you.”
An uncertain short moment.
conjDuring the same time that.
“He was sleeping while I was singing.”
Although.
“This case, while interesting, is a bit frustrating.”
Until.
“I'll wait while you've finished painting.”
prepUntil.
“I may be conveyed into your chamber; I'll lie under your bed while midnight.”
verbTo pass (time) idly.
“I whiled away the hours whilst waiting for him to arrive”
To occupy or entertain (someone) in order to let time pass.
“In other worlds I whiled me now Through many a dark night long.”
To elapse, to pass.
“Years whiled. He aged, sank, sickened; and was not: / And it was said, 'A man intractable / And curst is gone.'”
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Pronunciations and meanings from Wiktionary via kaikki.org, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Recordings by Wikimedia Commons contributors. This page is shared under the same license.