whilst

[waɪlst]

whilst Definition

while.

Using whilst: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "whilst" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    Whilst I was cooking dinner, my husband was setting the table.

  • Example

    I like to listen to music whilst I work.

  • Example

    She fell asleep whilst reading her book.

whilst Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for whilst

Phrases with whilst

  • to spend time in a leisurely or unproductive manner

    Example

    He likes to whilst away the time by playing video games.

  • used to introduce a related topic or point

    Example

    Whilst we're on the subject of food, have you tried the new restaurant downtown?

  • although not ideal or without flaws

    Example

    Whist not perfect, the project was completed on time and within budget.

Origins of whilst

Middle English, from Old English 'hwilc', meaning 'which' + '-t', a suffix indicating the past tense

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Summary: whilst in Brief

'Whilst' [waɪlst] is a conjunction that means 'while.' It is used to indicate that two actions are happening at the same time, as in 'Whilst I was cooking dinner, my husband was setting the table.' 'Whilst' can also be used in phrases like 'whilst away the time,' meaning to spend time leisurely, or 'whilst not perfect,' meaning although not ideal.

How do native speakers use this expression?