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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

while

/wæl/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
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What does while mean?

noun

  1. An uncertain duration of time, a period of time.
  2. An uncertain long period of time
  3. An uncertain short moment.
More meanings (10)

conjunction

  1. During the same time that.
  2. Although.
  3. Until.
  4. As long as.

preposition

  1. Until.

verb

  1. To pass (time) idly.
  2. To occupy or entertain (someone) in order to let time pass.
  3. Alternative spelling or misspelling of wile.
  4. (archaic) To elapse, to pass.

proper noun

  1. A surname.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/wæl/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Other dictionary pronunciations

/wɑl/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

So Alice got up and ran off, thinking while she ran, as well she might, what a wonderful dream it had been.
Lewis CarrollAlice's Adventures in WonderlandProject Gutenberg ebook #11
The dinner, which was a cold one, had already been served, and remained neglected on the table while I told my story.
H. G. (Herbert George) WellsThe war of the worldsProject Gutenberg ebook #36
More book examples (3)
All morning long the sun beat upon her cliff, while the ruins on the opposite side of the canyon were in shadow.
Willa CatherThe Song of the LarkProject Gutenberg ebook #44
Anne gave herself up to a silent rapture over the shore road and Marilla guided the sorrel abstractedly while she pondered deeply.
L. M. (Lucy Maud) MontgomeryAnne of Green GablesProject Gutenberg ebook #45
Hungary claims that less than 20% of foreign trade is now with former CEMA countries, while about 70% is with OECD members.
United States. Central Intelligence AgencyThe 1992 CIA World FactbookProject Gutenberg ebook #48