time value: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical, Formal, Business
Quick answer
What does “time value” mean?
The measurement or assigned worth of a duration.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The measurement or assigned worth of a duration; in finance, the principle that money available now is worth more than the identical sum in the future due to its potential earning capacity.
The relative importance or priority given to time in different contexts; in music, the duration of a note; in computer science, a data type for dates and times; in physics/philosophy, time considered as a quantifiable variable.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The financial concept 'time value of money' is identical in both variants.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with formal business/finance contexts in both regions.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech, but standard and frequent in specialist domains like finance, music theory, and project management.
Grammar
How to Use “time value” in a Sentence
the time value of [noun: money, an option, a note]assign a time value to [noun phrase]calculate/based on time valueVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “time value” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The time-value adjustment was critical for the audit.
- They performed a time-value analysis.
American English
- The time-value adjustment was critical for the audit.
- They performed a time-value analysis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Crucial in finance for investment appraisal, discounting cash flows, and option pricing (e.g., 'The option's price consists of intrinsic value and time value.').
Academic
Used in economics, finance, musicology, and physics papers to denote quantified temporal measurement.
Everyday
Rare in casual talk. May appear in discussions about productivity or life priorities (e.g., 'I'm reassessing the time value I give to social media.').
Technical
Precise meaning in music (note length), computing (timestamp data), and engineering (scheduling algorithms).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “time value”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “time value”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “time value”
- Using 'time value' as a verb (e.g., 'We need to time value this project.' – INCORRECT).
- Confusing 'time value' with 'time management'.
- Misspelling as 'timevalue' (should be two words or hyphenated as a modifier: 'time-value calculation').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically two words ('time value'), though it is often hyphenated when used as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., 'time-value calculation').
For an option, intrinsic value is the profit if exercised immediately (e.g., stock price minus strike price for a call). Time value is the extra amount investors pay for the possibility the option will gain more intrinsic value before it expires.
It's uncommon in casual chat. In everyday contexts, people are more likely to say 'value of time' or 'what your time is worth' rather than the technical compound noun 'time value'.
No, there is no standard verb 'to time value'. The related action is expressed with verbs like 'calculate', 'discount', 'assess', or 'value over time'.
The measurement or assigned worth of a duration.
Time value is usually technical, formal, business in register.
Time value: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪm ˌvæljuː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪm ˌvælju/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Time is money.”
- “A stitch in time saves nine.”
- “In the nick of time.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'TIME VALUE' as a price tag on a clock – it tells you what a specific amount of time is WORTH.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A COMMODITY / RESOURCE (that can be spent, saved, wasted, invested, and has a measurable value).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'time value' a technical term for the duration of a note?