whilst
/waɪlst/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Meaning · English
Often preceded by the: During the time; meanwhile.
Adverb
Examples
Nay, I prethee put on this gown, & this beard, make him beleeue thou art ſir Topas the Curate, doe it quickly. Ile call ſir Toby the whilſt.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “whilst” mean?
Often preceded by the: During the time; meanwhile.
Is “whilst” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.