What does "whilst" mean?
Often preceded by the: During the time; meanwhile.
Whilst
/waɪlst/ adv, conj
adv, conj ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Often preceded by the: During the time; meanwhile.
- Grammar: whilst is listed as adv, conj.
- Nearest alternatives: although, as, as long as, at the same time.
- Useful contrasts: after, before, despite.
- Usage evidence: The performers danced whilst singing - they performed extremely well.
How to use "whilst"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "whilst" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "whilst" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "whilst" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "whilst" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "whilst" is acting as adv, conj in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "although" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "whilst", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Adverb
- 1 Often preceded by the: During the time; meanwhile. not-comparable
"Nay, I prethee put on this gown, & this beard, make him beleeue thou art ſir Topas the Curate, doe it quickly. Ile call ſir Toby the whilſt."
Conjunction
- 1 Synonym of while.; During the whole, or until the end, of the time that; as long as, at the same time. Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, literary, rare
"Drivers must switch off engines whilst on stand."
- 2 Synonym of while.; Within, or before the end, of the time that. Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, literary, rare
"[P]ray, step down to the cellar and fetch us a bottle of the Burgundy, 1678—it is the fourth bin from the right-hand turn—And I say, Craigie—you may fetch up half-a-dozen whilst you are about it—Egad, we'll make a night on't."
- 3 Synonym of while.; Although; in contrast; whereas. Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, literary, rare
"His company must do his minions grace, / Whil'ſt I at home ſtarue for a merrie looke: / Hath homelie age th'alluring beauty tooke / From my poore cheeke?"
- 4 Synonym of while.; Besides; in addition. Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, literary, rare
"Modern engine sheds of advanced design have also been built at Radyr, Abercynon, and elsewhere, whilst other depots have been remodelled and re-equipped."
- 5 Synonym of while.; Only if; provided that; as long as; so long as. Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, literary, rare
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The performers danced whilst singing - they performed extremely well."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "whilst"?
Common synonyms include: although, as, as long as, at the same time, concurrently, even though.
How do you use "whilst" in a sentence?
The performers danced whilst singing - they performed extremely well.
How do you pronounce "whilst"?
Pronounced /waɪlst/.
Etymology
From Late Middle English whilst, whilest, qwhilste (Northern England), quilest (Northwest Midlands) [and other forms], from whiles (“during the time that, while; only so long as; provided that; because, since; until”) + -t (excrescent suffix, perhaps due to a combination of -(e)s and the following word the, or influenced by the superlative suffix -est). Whiles is derived from whiles (“period of time, a while”, noun) (probably from the second element of adverbs and conjunctions like otherwhiles and somewhiles), from while (“period of time, a while”, noun) + -s (suffix forming adverbs of manner, space, and time); and while is from Old English hwīl (“period of time, a while”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *hwīlō (“period of time, a while; period of rest, break, pause”), from Proto-Indo-European *kʷyeh₁- (“to rest; peace, rest”). The English word can be analysed as whiles + -t (excrescent suffix appended to words suffixed with -s). cognates * West Frisian wylst (“whilst”)