time travel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal to Formal; common in science fiction, popular science, and figurative language.
Quick answer
What does “time travel” mean?
the theoretical or fictional concept of moving between different points in time, analogous to movement between different points in space.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the theoretical or fictional concept of moving between different points in time, analogous to movement between different points in space.
Often used metaphorically to describe nostalgic reminiscence, historical study, or futuristic planning that mentally transports one to another era.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Hyphenation in compound modifiers ('time-travel') is slightly more common in British English, but the open form 'time travel' dominates in both.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties, strongly associated with science fiction tropes and theoretical physics.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties, given the global nature of sci-fi media.
Grammar
How to Use “time travel” in a Sentence
[Subject] + engage in + time travel[Subject] + is a + time travel + [noun][Verb] + through time travelVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “time travel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The protagonist learns to time-travel using a mysterious pocket watch.
- In the show, they time-travelled to Victorian London.
American English
- The movie is about a kid who can time travel in his DeLorean.
- She accidentally time traveled to the Jurassic period.
adverb
British English
- (Rare) The story was told time-travel-style, jumping between epochs.
- (Figurative) He reminisced time-travellingly about his youth.
American English
- (Rare) The plot moves time-travel fast between decades.
- (Figurative) She spoke almost time-travel-like about the future.
adjective
British English
- It's a classic time-travel narrative with a twist.
- He faced a complex time-travel paradox.
American English
- The series uses a time travel device to explore history.
- It's a time travel comedy with heart.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically used in phrases like 'The new strategy is a form of business time travel, learning from past mistakes to forecast future trends.'
Academic
Discussed in physics (theoretical), philosophy (paradoxes), and literature (narrative technique).
Everyday
Used when discussing favourite sci-fi films, books, or humourously about nostalgia ('Listening to this song is like time travel.').
Technical
In theoretical physics, concerning closed timelike curves, wormholes, and special relativity.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “time travel”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “time travel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “time travel”
- He invented a time travel. (Incorrect: should be 'invented time travel' or 'a time travel device')
- I would love to do a time travel. (Incorrect: 'do time travel' or 'go time travelling')
- Times travel (incorrect pluralisation).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
According to current mainstream physics, time travel to the future (via time dilation) is possible, but travel to the past remains highly theoretical and faces significant causality paradoxes.
Yes, the verb form (often hyphenated as 'time-travel' but also open) is commonly used, especially in informal and science fiction contexts (e.g., 'The character time-travels to 1920').
Using an indefinite article ('a') before the uncountable noun phrase 'time travel' (e.g., 'do a time travel'). The correct forms are 'do time travel' or 'use time travel'.
No, it is a calque from English. Many languages use a descriptive phrase like 'journey through time' or 'voyage in time' rather than a single lexical item.
the theoretical or fictional concept of moving between different points in time, analogous to movement between different points in space.
Time travel is usually informal to formal; common in science fiction, popular science, and figurative language. in register.
Time travel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪm ˌtræv.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪm ˌtræv.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A trip down memory lane (figurative)”
- “A blast from the past (figurative)”
- “To have a Dickens of a time (pseudo-temporal pun)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TIME machine that lets you TRAVEL to the past or future.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A SPATIAL DIMENSION (We can travel through it). HISTORY/FUTURE IS A DESTINATION.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a famous paradox associated with time travel?