awhile
A short time
Awhile is an adverb meaning for a short time: Stay awhile.
It functions as a single unit modifying a verb.
The two-word form "a while" is a noun phrase that follows prepositions: for a while, in a while.
The distinction is often ignored in casual writing, but the one-word form never follows a preposition.
For a very short time
- brieflyIn few words
- temporarilyFor a limited time
- shortlyIn little time
- fleetinglyFor a very short time
quickly · passing · transient · ephemeral · short-lived · fleeting · instant · swift
momentarily
For a very short time
- brieflyIn few words
- temporarilyFor a limited time
- shortlyIn little time
fleetingly · quickly · passing · transient · ephemeral · short-lived · fleeting · instant · swift · hasty
time
Measured passage of moments
stretch · length · interim · meantime · season · phase · chapter · stage · term · course
rest
Cessation of activity
lull · intermission · recess · hiatus · reprieve · downtime · relaxation · interlude · interval · stoppage
- time wordsminute, hour, day, now, soon
- Temporarilybriefly, temporarily, for now, for the time being, in the meantime
- time spanssecond, minute, hour, day, week
- approximationsabout, approximately, around, roughly, almost
awhileforever
For all time
permanently · eternally · indefinitely · endlessly · perpetually
- stay awhile
- once in awhileInfrequently, at intervals