While vs. Meanwhile — What's the Difference?
Difference Between While and Meanwhile
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While
While is a word in the English language that functions both as a noun and as a subordinating conjunction. Its meaning varies largely based on its intended function, position in the phrase and even the writer or speaker's regional dialect.
Meanwhile
The intervening time.
While
A period of time
Stay for a while.
Sang all the while. See Usage Note at awhile.
Meanwhile
During or in the intervening time
Meanwhile, life goes on.
While
The time, effort, or trouble taken in doing something
The project wasn't worth my while.
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Meanwhile
At the same time
The court is deliberating.
Meanwhile, we must be patient.
While
As long as; during the time that
It was lovely while it lasted.
Meanwhile
The time between two events.
While
In spite of the fact that; although
While that guitar may look nice, it's not a very good instrument.
Meanwhile
During the time that something is happening.
While
And on the contrary
The soles are leather, while the uppers are canvas.
Meanwhile
At the same time, but elsewhere.
While
To spend (time) idly or pleasantly
While the hours away.
Meanwhile
In contrast or opposed to aspects previously mentioned.
While
An uncertain duration of time, a period of time.
He lectured for quite a long while.
It’s a long while since anyone lived there, so it’s a ruin now.
Meanwhile
At the same time but in another place;
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
While
(US) an uncertain long period of time
Meanwhile
During the intervening time;
Meanwhile I will not think about the problem
Meantime he was attentive to his other interests
In the meantime the police were notified
While
(Philippines) an uncertain short moment
While
During the same time that.
He was sleeping while I was singing.
Driving while intoxicated is against the law.
While
Although.
This case, while interesting, is a bit frustrating.
While I would love to help, I am very busy at the moment.
While
Until.
I'll wait while you've finished painting.
While
As long as.
While you're at school you may live at home.
While
Until.
While
To pass (time) idly.
I whiled away the hours whilst waiting for him to arrive
While
(transitive) To occupy or entertain (someone) in order to let time pass.
While
To elapse, to pass.
While
Alternative spelling or misspelling of wile.
While
Space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a time; as, one while we thought him innocent.
This mighty queen may no while endure.
[Some guest that] hath outside his welcome while,And tells the jest without the smile.
I will go forth and breathe the air a while.
While
That which requires time; labor; pains.
Satan . . . cast him how he might quite her while.
And so on us at whiles it falls, to claimPowers that we dread.
While
To cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or disgust; to spend or pass; - usually followed by away.
The lovely lady whiled the hours away.
While
To loiter.
While
During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that; as, while I write, you sleep.
Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while you take care not to overload it.
While
Hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though; whereas.
While
Until; till.
I may be conveyed into your chamber;I'll lie under your bed while midnight.
While
A period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition;
He was here for a little while
I need to rest for a piece
A spell of good weather
A patch of bad weather
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