While vs. Whilst

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I had to finally look it up...because (phew), I thought maybe I had been using the word, while incorrectly all my life.

Both while and whilst are ancient, though while is older. There's no difference in meaning between them. For reasons that aren't clear, whilst has survived in British English but has died out in the US. However, in Britain it is considered to be a more formal and literary word than its counterpart.

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-whi2.htm

[Jenn! 918]

[Amby 490]

Neil says whilst and then I tell him he's in the US and he can use while and it'll be ok. He isn't budging!

[mawilson 2,133]

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I like the sound of "whilst" better in some sentences and "while" in others. I use the better sounding.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

I like the sound of "whilst" better in some sentences and "while" in others. I use the better sounding.

I do the same.