different between whilst vs until

English

Alternative forms

• whilest (obsolete)
• whylst (obsolete)
• whylest (obsolete)

Etymology

From whiles +? -t. Surface analysis while +? -st (“excrescence”). Cognate with West Frisian wylst (“whilst”). More at whiles.

Pronunciation

• (General American, Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /wa?lst/, /hwa?lst/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /w??lst/

Conjunction

whilst

1. (Britain, rare or literary in North America) While, at the same time.

   Synonyms: while; see also Thesaurus:while

Usage notes

In American English, whilst is considered to be pretentious or archaic. Penguin Working Words recommends while only, and notes that whilst is old-fashioned. Cambridge Guide to English Usage and M-W's Webster's Guide to English Usage comment on its regional character, and note that it is rare in American usage. It is thus safer to use only while in international English. The American Heritage Guide writes that, "while using whilst runs the risk of sounding pretentious, it can sometimes add a literary or ironically formal note to a piece of writing".

Translations

Further reading

• while on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• whilst in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “whilst”, in Online Etymology Dictionary
• “whilst”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–present.

English

Etymology

From Middle English until, untill, ontil, ontill, equivalent to un- (“against; toward; up to”) +? till. Perhaps representing a northern variant of Middle English unto. See unto.

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: ?n-t?l?, ?n-t?l? IPA^(key): /?n?t?l/, /?n?t?l/, /?n?t?l/
• (US) enPR: ?n-t?l?, ?n-t?l? IPA^(key): /?n?t?l/, /?n?t?l/
• Rhymes: -?l
• Hyphenation: un?til

Preposition

until

1. Up to the time of (something happening).

   If you can wait until after my meeting with her, we'll talk then.
2. Before (a time).
3. (obsolete) To; physically towards.

Synonyms

• till (less formal)
• 'til (less formal)
• up to

Antonyms

• since

Derived terms

• 'til

Translations

Conjunction

until

1. Up to the time that (a condition becomes true).

   • It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street. […]. He halted opposite the Privy Gardens, and, with his face turned skywards, listened until the sound of the Tower guns smote again on the ear and dispelled his doubts.
2. Before (a condition becoming true).

Synonyms

• (up to the time that): till (less formal), 'til (nonstandard); see also Thesaurus:until
• (before): afore, before

Derived terms

• 'til

Translations

Anagrams

• nutil, unlit