while

From Wiktionary

while is part of the Basic English 850.

Contents 1 Pronunciation 2 Preposition 3 Noun 4 Verb

[change] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ʍaɪl/, SAMPA: /WaIl/
• (US) IPA: /waɪl/, SAMPA: /waIl/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[change] Preposition

Preposition while

1. If x happens while y happens, they happen at the same time.

   He fell asleep while sitting at his desk.

[change] Noun

Singular while

Plural none

1. A while is a short time.

   After a while I will stop working and cook food for us.

[change] Verb

Plain form while

Third-person singular whiles

Past tense whiled

Past participle whiled

Present participle whiling

1. To pass time.

   On Sundays, I like to while away the time by reading.