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# while

conjunction (while; UK also whilst); noun (a while); verb (while away)

«while» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. While means at the same time as something else happens. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#m1)
2. While can mean but, or although, to show a difference. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#m2)
3. «A while» is some time, often not long. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#m3)
4. To while away time is to pass it in a relaxed way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#m4)
5. Worth while (written as two words) means worth the time or effort. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#m5)

### In the lessons

joins two facts told side by side, often to compare or add them; in stories, «while» tells that two things happen at once; phrases «a while», «for a while», «in a while», «once in a while», «worth your while»

### Examples

- Mary has 12 apples while Tom has 8. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#x1)
- While she read 20 pages, he read 15. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#x2)
- How many more does Mary have? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#x3)
- She waited a while. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#x4)
- I listened to music while I cleaned my room. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#x5)
- Don't use your phone while you cross the road. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#x6)
- See you in a while! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#x7)
- Once in a while we eat out. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#x8)
- Some birds fly south, while others stay. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#x9)
- The rain stopped for a while. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#x10)
- It is quite worth while trying.’ [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/#x11)

### Note

A joining word, no operation by itself; it puts two amounts side by side. Trap: «while» is not «more than»; check what the question asks. «A while» (noun) and «awhile» (adverb) are close. Do not mix up «while» and «wile» (a trick).

## In Jewish tradition

Means "at the same time as" or "but," as in everyday English. In the primary lessons: joins two facts told side by side, often to compare or add them; in stories, «while» tells that two things happen at once; phrases «a while», «for a while», «in a while», «once in a while», «worth your while»

### Examples

- While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she tended them. (Torah GEN.29.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/while/#x1)
- And he said unto Balak: 'Stand here by thy burnt-offering, while I go toward a meeting yonder.' (Torah NUM.23.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/while/#x2)
- And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also, even his enemies, shall be a possession; while Israel doeth valiantly. (Torah NUM.24.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/while/#x3)
- While the king sat at his table, my spikenard sent forth its fragrance. (Writings SNG.1.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/while/#x4)
- And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. (Prophets 1KI.1.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/while/#x5)
- And Ehud escaped while they lingered, having passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirah. (Prophets JDG.3.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/while/#x6)

### Note

A joining word, no operation by itself; it puts two amounts side by side. Trap: «while» is not «more than»; check what the question asks. «A while» (noun) and «awhile» (adverb) are close. Do not mix up «while» and «wile» (a trick).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «while» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/while/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«while» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/while.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «while» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/while/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«while» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/while.html) on Mova free.