Words / B2

WYLST/waɪlst/

Whilst means during the time that, or is used to contrast two facts (British, slightly formal): whilst the lab was closed; whilst X, Y. While is the everyday twin (already in the dictionary); whereas is contrast only. Whilst the lab was closed, candidates sat in the hall. Mix-up: whist is a card game. Do not stack whilst with whereas in the same clause.

Meaning

During the time that; also used to contrast two facts (British, slightly formal).

Examples

• “Whilst the lab was closed, candidates sat the paper in the hall.”
• “Whilst the policy looks fair, the n is tiny, which is the contrast sense.”

Good to know

whilst + clause. Everyday: while. Contrast twin: whereas. Trap: whist. Formal UK prose. Same time or contrast, not a card game.

Near in meaning

while

New