[wʌɪl], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a period of time
(e.g: we chatted for a while)

- at the same time; meanwhile
(e.g: he starts to draw, talking the while)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English hwīl ‘period of time’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wijl, German Weile; the conjunction is an abbreviation of Old English thā hwīle the ‘the while that’

[wʌɪl], (Conjunction)

Definitions:
- during the time that; at the same time as
(e.g: nothing much changed while he was away)

- whereas (indicating a contrast)
(e.g: one person wants out, while the other wants the relationship to continue)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English hwīl ‘period of time’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wijl, German Weile; the conjunction is an abbreviation of Old English thā hwīle the ‘the while that’

[wʌɪl], (Adverb)

Definitions:
- during which
(e.g: the period while the animal remains alive)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English hwīl ‘period of time’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wijl, German Weile; the conjunction is an abbreviation of Old English thā hwīle the ‘the while that’

[wʌɪl], (Verb)

Definitions:
- pass time in a leisurely manner
(e.g: a diversion to while away the long afternoons)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English hwīl ‘period of time’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wijl, German Weile; the conjunction is an abbreviation of Old English thā hwīle the ‘the while that’

[wʌɪl], (Adposition)

Definitions:
- until
(e.g: father will be happy while dinner time)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English hwīl ‘period of time’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wijl, German Weile; the conjunction is an abbreviation of Old English thā hwīle the ‘the while that’