part-timer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral, slightly more formal than 'part-time worker'.
Quick answer
What does “part-timer” mean?
A person who works or studies for fewer hours than a standard full-time schedule.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who works or studies for fewer hours than a standard full-time schedule.
An individual engaged in any activity on a less-than-full-time basis, often implying flexibility, secondary commitment, or a specific contractual arrangement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically. Spelling may vary (hyphenated 'part-timer' vs. solid 'parttimer'), but hyphenated is standard.
Connotations
Often neutral, but can have slight connotations of temporary or less committed employment compared to full-time staff.
Frequency
Common in both business/everyday contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “part-timer” in a Sentence
[Employer] + employ/hire/take on + part-timer[Person] + work as/be + (a) part-timerVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR, staffing, and management to denote non-full-time contractual roles.
Academic
Used in sociology, economics, or labour studies discussing workforce patterns.
Everyday
Common when discussing jobs, schedules, or student employment.
Technical
Specific legal/contractual definitions may vary by jurisdiction regarding hours/week.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “part-timer”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “part-timer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “part-timer”
- Using as an adjective (e.g., 'She is part-timer' – should be 'She is a part-timer' or 'She works part-time').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral-to-formal; 'part-time worker/employee' is slightly more formal. In casual speech, people might just say 'I work part-time.'
Yes, commonly. A student working a job with fewer than full-time hours is a part-timer. The term can also refer to a student taking a reduced course load.
Rights vary by country. Often, part-timers are entitled to pro-rated benefits (like holiday pay) compared to full-time staff, but may lack certain full-time benefits.
Yes. A part-timer is typically an employee or contracted worker with set, reduced hours for one employer. A freelancer is self-employed, works for multiple clients, and is paid per project or task.
A person who works or studies for fewer hours than a standard full-time schedule.
Part-timer: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpɑːt ˈtaɪ.mər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpɑːrt ˈtaɪ.mɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A part-timer at heart (someone not fully committed)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PART of the TIME workER = PART-TIMER.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMPLOYMENT IS A CONTAINER (a part-timer does not fill the container fully).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'part-timer'?