# whilst

/ˈwaɪɫst/ (US) · /wˈaɪlst/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Conjunction

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/whilst
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

during the same time that something else is happening. It is a more formal way to say 'while'.

For teachers: during the time that; at the same time as. Used as a formal or literary alternative to 'while', primarily in British English.

## Examples

- I listened to music whilst I cleaned the house.
- The researchers observed the subjects' reactions whilst they performed a series of memory tasks under pressure.
- Whilst the initial results of the study appear promising, the long-term implications of the treatment remain largely unknown and require further investigation.

## Pitfalls

- Not "Whilst of the meeting" but "During the meeting" — Whilst is a conjunction and must be followed by a clause or a participle, not a simple noun phrase.

## Usage notes

- Functions as a subordinating conjunction. It is significantly more common in British English than American English and is typically reserved for formal writing.

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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.