prep

during

DYOOR-rihng

prep

Throughout the whole of a period of time.

"The lights flickered during the entire storm."

"She stayed silent during the meeting."

At some point within a period of time.

"He called twice during the afternoon."

"The alarm went off during the night."

How to Use During

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHappening at some time inside a period, or continuously across all of it.

Common mistake

Use "during" with a noun phrase ("during the film"), not a clause — for a clause use "while" ("while the film was playing," not "during the film was playing").

Easily confused with

while → for →

Common pairings

during the day during the war during this time

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “during” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The lights flickered _____ the entire storm.

Etymology

From Middle English during, originally the present participle of the verb duren ("to last, to continue") — the same root as "endure."

Rhymes for during

curing luring Turing touring pouring scouring alluring figuring enduring assuring measuring conjuring

See all rhymes for during →