awhile

Adverb

 * 1) For some time; for a short time.
 * 2)  In the meantime; during an implicit ongoing process.
 * 1)  In the meantime; during an implicit ongoing process.
 * 1)  In the meantime; during an implicit ongoing process.
 * 1)  In the meantime; during an implicit ongoing process.
 * 1)  In the meantime; during an implicit ongoing process.

Usage notes
Awhile to mean “for a while” is often considered incorrect to use with a preceding preposition, since one is already supposed: instead of “for awhile”, one should prefer either “for a while” or simply “awhile”. However, “awhile” as object for a preposition is used by renowned writers, is allowed by Merriam-Webster, and is consistent with how other adverbs of time and place are employed.

In Pennsylvania Dutch English, awhile is typically always used to convey such sense; the word is separated as “a while” for the first sense, whether preceded by a preposition or not. Compare “You may sit awhile” (inviting a person to sit while they are waiting) and “You may sit a while” (inviting them to sit for a length of time).

Synonyms

 * , ; see also Thesaurus:temporarily

Translations

 * Bengali: কিছুক্ষন
 * Bulgarian: за изве́стно вре́ме
 * Chinese:
 * Mandarin:
 * Finnish:, , hetken aikaa,
 * French:, , un instant
 * German: eine Weile
 * Indonesian:
 * Irish: go fóill, ar feadh píosa, ar feadh tamaill
 * Italian: per un po'
 * Japanese:
 * Korean:
 * Portuguese: por um tempo
 * Russian:, на не́которое вре́мя
 * Spanish: un rato, algún tiempo


 * Hindi: तब तक
 * Japanese: