awhile, a while — These words cause trouble with spelling, but their meanings are easily distinguished. While is a noun meaning a period of time and with a is correctly spelled and pronounced as two words in a sentence such as Ellie had to wait a while for the bus … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
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 — [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 — [ə wīl′, əhwīl′] adv. [ME < OE ane hwile, a while] for a while; for a short time … English World dictionary
awhile — O.E. ane hwile (for) a while, usually written as one word since 13c … Etymology dictionary
a while — ◊ awhile Awhile is an adverb used after a verb. It means for a short period of time . I may have to stay there awhile. Can t you just wait awhile? ◊ a while A while is an indefinite period of time. You can say that someone does something … Useful 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 — /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 … Universalium
a while — 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
