/wɪlst/ or /waɪlst/ for 'whilst'?

[Mehrgan]

Hi,
May I know which one is the right pronunciation of the word?

Is this word commonly used in BrE? I happen to come across it quite often, and I find it a very attractive word!

 

[SirGod]

* Not a teacher

The pronunciation provided by OALD is /waɪlst/.

It's formal and old-fashioned. I have come across it often too, but mainly in literature and older texts (1900, 1800 etc.). Rarely nowadays.​

 

[Tdol]

It's used in BrE by some people who think it makes them sound more serious and formal. The pronunciation I hear is /waɪlst/.