After a period of time, usually a moderately short time. For example, Go ahead, I'll be along in a while, or After a while we turned off the television and went for a walk. [

How long is in a while?

The study has discovered “a while” estimates a length of 4 months whereas “a little while” would be a little less at 3 months' time. Going a little further, “a while back” would indicate the potential of occurring up to 8 months in the past.

Is it correct to say in a while?

And in certain constructions, “in” is more idiomatic—“once in a while” … “see you in a while.” But in others, “after” might seem more natural—“After a while, the pain subsided” … “After a while, we decided to leave.” Both “in a while” and “after a while” have been common English phrases for hundreds of years.