awhile


awhile
/euh hwuyl", euh wuyl"/, adv.
for a short time or period: Stay awhile.
[bef. 1000; ME; OE ane hwile (dat.); see A1, WHILE]
Usage. The adverb AWHILE is spelled as a single word: After stopping in Hadley awhile, we drove to Deerfield. As the object of a preposition, the noun phrase A WHILE is used, especially in edited writing, but the single-word form is becoming increasingly common: We rested for a while (or awhile).

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Universalium. 2010.

Synonyms:
, , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • awhile — awhile, a while Both expressions have the same origin in the word while, but it should be noted that awhile is strictly adverbial whereas a while is a noun phrase (very often preceded by for): • When he reached the street sign he stopped awhile… …   Modern English usage

  • Awhile — A*while , adv. [Adj. a + while time, interval.] For a while; for some time; for a short time. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • awhile — O.E. ane hwile (for) a while, usually written as one word since 13c …   Etymology dictionary

  • awhile — [adv] for a short period briefly, for a bit, for a little while, for a moment, for a spell, for a while, for the moment, momentarily, not for long, temporarily, transiently; concept 798 …   New thesaurus

  • awhile — ► ADVERB ▪ for a short time …   English terms dictionary

  • awhile — [ə wīl′, əhwīl′] adv. [ME < OE ane hwile, a while] for a while; for a short time …   English World dictionary

  • awhile — [[t]ə(h)wa͟ɪl[/t]] ADV: usu ADV after v Awhile means for a short time. It is more commonly spelled a while , which is considered more correct, especially in British English. He worked awhile as a pharmacist in Cincinnati. N UNCOUNT Awhile is also …   English dictionary

  • awhile — a•while [[t]əˈ(h)waɪl, əˈwaɪl[/t]] adv. use for a short time or period: Stay awhile[/ex] • Etymology: bef. 1000; ME; OE āne hwīle (dat.); see a I, while usage: The adverb awhile is always spelled as one word: We rested awhile. The noun phrase a… …   From formal English to slang

  • awhile — adverb Date: before 12th century for a while Usage: Although considered a solecism by many commentators, awhile, like several other adverbs of time and place, is often used as the object of a preposition < for awhile there is a silence Lord… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • awhile — adverb For some time; for a short time. Sit with me awhile. See Also: while …   Wiktionary