A Good While

In Southern and Appalachian speech, a good while means a fairly long, indefinite period of time, often longer than expected or remembered.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Southern #Time

synonyms: quite a while, a long time, some time ago

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'A good while' is about context - usually long in the relative sense. Like a paper airplane could hang in the air a good while.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'A good while' is about context - usually long in the relative sense. Like a paper airplane could hang in the air a good while.

Pronunciation

[uh GOOD wahl]
/ə gʊd waɪl/

Meaning & Usage

- A long but indefinite amount of time (noun phrase)

Estel:

You seen your cousin lately?

Elmer:

No, it’s been a good while.

★ A good while is stretchy - it can mean weeks or years, dependin’ on who’s sayin’ it. ★

Origin and Etymology

The phrase "a good while" combines the long-established English use of "while" to mean a span of time with "good" as an intensifier. While understood broadly in English, the phrase has remained especially common and productive in Southern and Appalachian speech, where it functions as a fixed temporal expression meaning an extended but unspecified duration. Its continued everyday use reflects regional preservation rather than Southern origin.

Usage Notes

"A good while" is used in Southern and Appalachian speech to refer to a length of time that feels significant but is not measured precisely. It often carries a reflective or conversational tone and may imply that more time has passed than expected.

Commonly used when recalling the past ("It’s been a good while since"")
Refers to duration, not a specific date or number
Remains natural in spoken Southern and Appalachian English, though it sounds folksy elsewhere

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "a good while" mean a specific amount of time?

No. It refers to an indefinite span that feels relatively long.

Is this phrase still used today?

Yes. It remains common in Southern and Appalachian spoken English.

Is "a good while" the same as "quite a while"?

Yes. They overlap in meaning, though "a good while" often sounds more conversational.

Is this considered formal English?

No. It is an informal, regional expression.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, December 18). A Good While. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/a-good-while
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "A Good While." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Dec. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/a-good-while.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "A Good While." HillbillySlang.com. December 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/a-good-while.