flextime: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to Formal. Common in business and HR contexts.
Quick answer
What does “flextime” mean?
A work arrangement where employees can choose their start and finish times within limits, as long as they complete a set number of hours.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A work arrangement where employees can choose their start and finish times within limits, as long as they complete a set number of hours.
A flexible working hours system, often used as a form of flexitime policy by employers to improve work-life balance and productivity. It may include core hours when all employees must be present.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'flexitime' (hyphen optional) is more common in British English. 'Flextime' (one word) is the dominant spelling in American English. The concept is identical.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes modern, employee-friendly management. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American business discourse, but widely understood and used in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “flextime” in a Sentence
[Company] offers flextime.[Employees] work (on) flextime.We are/operate on a flextime system.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flextime” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Employees can flex their time to suit childcare needs.
- The system allows you to flex your hours within a two-week period.
American English
- She flextimes on Wednesdays to attend a class.
- Can I flex my time next Friday for a doctor's appointment?
adverb
British English
- He works flexitime, coming in at 10 but leaving later.
- The team operates flexibly, almost flextime.
American English
- She works flextime, so her hours vary.
- The position allows you to work flextime.
adjective
British English
- The flextime agreement requires staff to be present between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- We're discussing new flextime arrangements.
American English
- She has a flextime schedule that starts at 7 a.m.
- Flextime workers must still meet their weekly hour goals.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The new flextime policy led to a noticeable drop in employee turnover.
Academic
The study examined the correlation between flextime adoption and job satisfaction metrics.
Everyday
I love my flextime; I can start early and finish at 3 p.m. to pick up the kids.
Technical
The HRMS software module needs to be configured to track flextime accruals and core hour compliance.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flextime”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flextime”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flextime”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'I have a flextime' should be 'I have flextime' or 'I am on flextime').
- Confusing spelling: 'flex time' (two words) is less standard than 'flextime' or 'flexitime'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Flextime refers specifically to flexible start and end times. Working from home (remote work) is about location. They can be combined but are separate concepts.
Typically, no. Flextime usually involves working the same total number of hours per week or month as a standard schedule, just at different times. Pay is generally not affected.
Core hours are a set period in the middle of the day (e.g., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) when all employees on flextime are required to be at work to ensure team collaboration and availability for meetings.
Not all jobs are suitable. Roles requiring constant customer service coverage, specific shift work, or immediate team collaboration during all business hours may not be compatible with a pure flextime model.
A work arrangement where employees can choose their start and finish times within limits, as long as they complete a set number of hours.
Flextime is usually neutral to formal. common in business and hr contexts. in register.
Flextime: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflɛksɪtaɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflɛksˌtaɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The core of the flextime day”
- “To flex your time”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FLEX your TIME. Just like you flex a muscle to change its shape, you flex your work time to fit your life.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A PLIABLE OBJECT (can be bent/stretched/reshaped). WORK IS A CONTAINER (with flexible boundaries).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key feature of a typical flextime system?