What are the definitions of “while away”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Spend time doing something because you have nothing better to do.
We WHILED a couple of hours AWAY playing computer games.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “while away”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb while away is to spend time doing something enjoyable or relaxing, especially when you have nothing better to do or to make time pass more quickly.
What are the different verb forms of “while away”?
| Root Verb | while away |
| Third Person Singular Present | whiles away |
| Present Participle | whiling away |
| Simple Past | whiled away |
| Past Participle | whiled away |
Example
I like to while away my weekends by reading a good book.
Example
She whiles away her free time by painting.
Example
He is whiling away the afternoon by watching movies.
Example
Yesterday, they whiled away the evening playing board games.
Example
The long hours of the flight were whiled away by watching movies and playing games.
What kind of phrasal verb is “while away”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“while away” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
We whiled away the time by playing cards.
Example
She whiled away the hours by listening to music.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“while away” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
We whiled away the time by playing cards.
Example
She whiled away the hours by listening to music.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “while away”?
Good things to know
Does “while away” have an informal or formal tone?
While away is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context.
