Collins English-English Dictionary

while [waɪl]

1. 1. conj [subordinating] at the same time that

   please light the fire while I'm cooking

2. 2. conj [subordinating] all the time that

   I stay inside while it's raining

3. 3. conj [subordinating] in spite of the fact that

   while I agree about his brilliance I still think he's rude

4. 4. conj [coordinating] whereas; and in contrast

   flats are expensive, while houses are cheap

5. 5. conj [subordinating; used with a gerund] during the activity of

   while walking I often whistle

6. 6. conj another word for until

   you'll have to wait while Monday for these sheets

   you'll never make any progress while you listen to me

7. 7. n [Scot and northern English] [dialect] [usually used in adverbial phrases] a period or interval of time

   once in a long while

8. 8. n trouble or time (esp in the phrase worth one's while)

   it's hardly worth your while to begin work today

9. 9. n See also whiles

10. 10. n [Etymology] Old English hwil; related to Old High German hwila (German Weile), Gothic hveila, Latin quies peace, tranquilus tranquil

11. 11. n [Usage] It was formerly considered incorrect to use while to mean in spite of the fact that or whereas, but these uses have now become acceptable