For a while
Example: We stayed at the park for a while after school.
Definition
"For a while" is an expression used to indicate a short, indefinite period of time. It suggests that an action or state lasts temporarily or briefly, without specifying exact duration, as in the phrase, 'We stayed at the park for a while after school.'
Etymology
The phrase "for a while" combines the preposition 'for' with 'a while,' where 'while' originally meant a short period of time. 'While' comes from Old English 'hwīl,' meaning 'time' or 'period,' evolving to signify a brief duration. The phrase has been used in English for centuries to imply a temporary span.
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"For a while" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (B1) - set 1", containing 123 commonly used expressions.
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