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conj C1 Advanced Common

whilst

wylst
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Whilst (conj) means a more formal or British variant of "while", meaning during the same time or in contrast. Example: “Whilst I understand your concerns, I still think the plan should go ahead.”

conj
1
A more formal or British variant of "while", meaning during the same time or in contrast.
"Drivers must switch off engines whilst on stand."
"“In the event of a parcel arriving for him whilst he was away, what would be done with it?”" — Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920)
"Whilst I understand your concerns, I still think the plan should go ahead."
"She hummed to herself whilst tidying the shelves."
"He read the newspaper whilst waiting for the train to arrive."

How to use whilst

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMeans exactly the same as "while" but sounds more formal or old-fashioned.

When to use it

Common in British English, especially in formal or literary writing; American English almost always uses "while" instead.

UK vs US

Chiefly British; rare in American English, where "while" is standard.

Easily confused with
while →
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_____ I understand your concerns, I still think the plan should go ahead.

Etymology

Built from Middle English whiles ("while", used adverbially) plus an added -t sound, a pattern also seen in words like "amongst" and "amidst".

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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while whereas although as

Related words

as when because while since until though although

Frequently asked questions

What does “whilst” mean?
The word “whilst” means a more formal or British variant of "while", meaning during the same time or in contrast. In plain terms, means exactly the same as "while" but sounds more formal or old-fashioned.
How do you pronounce “whilst”?
“Whilst” is pronounced wylst (/waɪlst/ in IPA).
How do you use “whilst” in a sentence?
Here is “whilst” used in a sentence: “Whilst I understand your concerns, I still think the plan should go ahead.”
What part of speech is “whilst”?
“Whilst” is a conjunction.
Where does the word “whilst” come from?
The word “whilst” comes from Middle English. Built from Middle English whiles ("while", used adverbially) plus an added -t sound, a pattern also seen in words like "amongst" and "amidst".
Is “whilst” a common word?
“Whilst” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between whilst and while?
Whilst and while mean exactly the same thing: during the same time, or in contrast. The difference is purely one of register and region: whilst is chiefly British and sounds more formal or old-fashioned, while while is standard everywhere. There is no situation where whilst is required.
Is whilst correct in American English?
Whilst is grammatically correct but very rare in American English, where it can come across as affected or archaic. American style guides consistently recommend while. Writers targeting an American or international audience should generally choose while.
Can whilst mean although or whereas?
Yes. Like while, whilst can introduce a contrast rather than a time relationship, as in "whilst I agree with the goal, I doubt the method," where it means although or whereas. Context tells the reader whether the meaning is time or contrast.
Is whilst formal or informal?
Whilst leans formal, and in British English it appears mainly in writing, official documents, and careful speech. Even in Britain, while is more common in everyday conversation. Using whilst in casual contexts can sound stiff, though it is never incorrect.

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