Synonyms for

Awhile

Verb / ʌˈwaɪl / Another word for awhile — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

for a short time; temporarily

Synonyms & similar words

forawhile temporarily briefly momentarily

Synonyms by register

Formal

for a time for a period

Informal

for a bit for a spell for a while

Literary

for a season for a spell

Antonyms

briefly momentarily shortly quickly instantly imminently

Common collocations

  • stay awhile
  • wait awhile
  • rest awhile
  • sit awhile
  • talk awhile
  • think awhile
  • pause awhile

Word family

adverb awhile

Usage note

Awhile is an adverb and should not be confused with the phrase 'a while', which consists of an article and a noun. It typically follows the verb it modifies.

Example sentences

  1. We can play outside awhile before it starts raining.
  2. I will read a book awhile before going to bed.
  3. Can you wait awhile for me to finish my work?
  4. Let's rest awhile before continuing our hike.
  5. I will watch TV awhile before starting my chores.

Quotes

  • Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao Tzu
  • The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life. - Robert Louis Stevenson
  • I can only note that the past is beautiful because one never realizes an emotion at the time. It expands later, and thus we don't have complete emotions about the present, only about the past. - Virginia Woolf

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