during
6 synonyms for during, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Prep — Throughout the whole of a period of time.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
in the course of
in the middle of
at the time of
How to use during
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
during the day
during the war
during this time
Etymology
From Middle English during, originally the present participle of the verb duren ("to last, to continue") — the same root as "endure."
Full origin of during →Frequently asked questions
What does “during” mean?
The word “during” means throughout the whole of a period of time. In plain terms, happening at some time inside a period, or continuously across all of it.
How do you pronounce “during”?
“During” is pronounced DYOOR-rihng (/ˈdjʊə.ɹɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “during” in a sentence?
Here is “during” used in a sentence: “The lights flickered during the entire storm.”
What part of speech is “during”?
“During” is a preposition.
Where does the word “during” come from?
The word “during” comes from Middle English. From Middle English during, originally the present participle of the verb duren ("to last, to continue") — the same root as "endure.".
Is “during” a common word?
“During” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “during” have?
“During” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: throughout the whole of a period of time.
What is the difference between 'during' and 'while'?
'During' is a preposition and is followed by a noun — 'during the film,' 'during dinner.' 'While' is a conjunction and is followed by a subject and verb — 'while the film played,' 'while we ate.' Both express something happening at the same time, but the grammar that follows them differs.
What is the difference between 'during' and 'for'?
'During' tells you when something happens, within a named period — 'she woke up during the night.' 'For' tells you how long it lasts — 'she slept for eight hours.' Use 'during' with a specific event or span, and 'for' with a length of time. They answer different questions.
What is an example of 'during'?
'We stayed inside during the storm' places the action within the whole period the storm lasted. 'He fell asleep during the lecture' works the same way. In each, 'during' spans a named stretch of time and locates the event somewhere inside it.
