It has been awhile since I last heard from you. (as an ADVERB describing “has been”).

It will take a while longer for me to get to the post office to mail you a letter. (as a NOUN describing an amount of time).

Hope this helps you out !

• Our nap lasted only a while.

awhile: for a time (adv.)

• I think we should sleep awhile longer.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

awhile

SYLLABICATION: a·while

PRONUNCIATION: -hwl, -wl

ADVERB: For a short time.

USAGE NOTE: Awhile, an adverb, is never preceded by a preposition such as for, but the two-word form a while may be preceded by a preposition. In writing, each of the following is acceptable: stay awhile; stay for a while; stay a while (but not stay for awhile).