# awhile

/əˈwaɪɫ/ (US) · /ɐwˈaɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/awhile
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. for a short time

adverb · CEFR B2

for a short time.

For teachers: for a short, indefinite period of time.

- We sat on the park bench and rested awhile before continuing our walk.
- After the presentation concluded, the delegates lingered awhile in the lobby to discuss the implications of the new policy.

Usage: Functions as an adverb; it should not follow a preposition like 'for' or 'in'.

### 2. in the meantime

adverb · CEFR C1 · American English · Dialect

during an ongoing process or while waiting for something else to happen.

For teachers: occurring during an implicit or explicit ongoing process; used to indicate an interim action.

- The main course is still cooking, so have some snacks awhile.
- The technician is rebooting the server; you might as well check your physical mail awhile.

Teaching tip: This specific usage is largely restricted to certain American regional dialects (such as in Pennsylvania) and may sound non-standard to other English speakers.

## Examples

- Please stay awhile and talk to me.
- After the long hike, the group decided to rest awhile by the river before heading back.
- The traveler paused awhile to admire the sunset, reflecting on how much the landscape had changed since his last visit decades ago.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.