whilst

Etymology
From Late, , ,  , from  +. is derived from (probably from the second element of s and s like  and ), from  + ; and  is from, ultimately from , from. The English word can be analysed as.



Adverb

 * 1)  Often preceded by the: During the time; meanwhile.

Conjunction

 * 1) During the whole, or until the end, of the time that; as long as, at the same time.
 * 2) Within, or before the end, of the time that.
 * 3) Although; in contrast; whereas.
 * 4) Besides; in addition.
 * 5) Only if; provided that; as long as.
 * 1) Within, or before the end, of the time that.
 * 2) Although; in contrast; whereas.
 * 3) Besides; in addition.
 * 4) Only if; provided that; as long as.
 * 1) Within, or before the end, of the time that.
 * 2) Although; in contrast; whereas.
 * 3) Besides; in addition.
 * 4) Only if; provided that; as long as.
 * 1) Although; in contrast; whereas.
 * 2) Besides; in addition.
 * 3) Only if; provided that; as long as.
 * 1) Besides; in addition.
 * 2) Only if; provided that; as long as.
 * 1) Besides; in addition.
 * 2) Only if; provided that; as long as.
 * 1) Only if; provided that; as long as.
 * 1) Only if; provided that; as long as.

Usage notes
In American English, whilst is generally considered to be pretentious, poetic, or archaic. The Penguin Working Words (1993) recommends only, and notes that whilst is old-fashioned. The Cambridge Guide to English Usage (2004) and Webster’s Guide to English Usage (2004) comment on its regional character, and note that it is rare in American usage. It is used and understood more generally in International English. On the other hand, The American Heritage Guide to Contemporary Usage and Style (2005), writes that, “while using whilst runs the risk of sounding pretentious, it can sometimes add a literary or ironically formal note to a piece of writing”.