part time: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral (Used in both formal and informal contexts)
Quick answer
What does “part time” mean?
Involving or working for less than the full, standard hours.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Involving or working for less than the full, standard hours.
Relating to an activity, job, or course of study that occupies only part of one's available time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling/formatting differences; 'part-time' (with hyphen) is slightly more common in BrE than AmE as an adjective, but the open form is accepted in both.
Connotations
No significant difference in connotations between varieties. In both, it can imply flexibility or a lack of full commitment.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “part time” in a Sentence
[Noun] works/studies part-time.She has a [adjective] part-time job.He is employed on a part-time basis.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “part time” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To part-time is not a standard verb.
American English
- To part-time is not a standard verb.
adverb
British English
- After having the baby, she decided to work part-time.
- He studies part-time while caring for his parents.
American English
- I can only commit to working part-time this semester.
- She teaches part-time at the community college.
adjective
British English
- She found a part-time position at the local library.
- Many universities offer part-time degrees.
American English
- He's looking for a part-time job to help with tuition.
- She enrolled in a part-time MBA program.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR and job descriptions to specify non-standard hours (e.g., 'part-time receptionist required').
Academic
Describes study load (e.g., 'part-time PhD programme').
Everyday
Commonly used to describe work or study arrangements in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in labour law and economics to categorise employment status.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “part time”
- Using 'part time' as a noun without an article (e.g., 'I am looking for part time' -> 'I am looking for a part-time job').
- Incorrect hyphenation: 'She works parttime' or 'She works part-time' (adverbial use is often open).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As an adjective before a noun (a part-time job), it is usually hyphenated. As an adverb (She works part time), it is often written as two separate words. However, style guides vary, and 'part-time' as an adverb is also common.
The direct opposite is 'full-time'. Other context-dependent antonyms include 'permanent' (if contrasting with temporary part-time work) or 'overtime' (if contrasting with extra hours).
Yes. It is commonly used for study (part-time student) and can describe any activity that does not occupy all available time, though this is less frequent (e.g., a part-time hobby).
Not inherently. It can imply desirable flexibility or work-life balance. However, in some contexts, it may be associated with lower pay, fewer benefits, or a lack of career commitment, which can carry a negative connotation.
Involving or working for less than the full, standard hours.
Part time is usually neutral (used in both formal and informal contexts) in register.
Part time: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpɑːt ˈtaɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpɑːrt ˈtaɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To moonlight (to have a second, often part-time job)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a pie chart: a FULL pie is full-time work; a PART of the pie is part-time work.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CONTAINER (a part-time job occupies only part of the container of available working hours).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'part-time' used correctly as an adverb?