timeserver: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
UncommonFormal or literary, often used in critical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “timeserver” mean?
A person who does the bare minimum at work and is primarily concerned with passing time until the end of the day or until retirement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who does the bare minimum at work and is primarily concerned with passing time until the end of the day or until retirement.
Can also refer to someone who adapts their opinions or actions to suit the current times or authorities, often for personal gain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Similarly negative in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally uncommon in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “timeserver” in a Sentence
timeserver in [organization]timeserver at [workplace]accuse someone of being a timeserverVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “timeserver” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- In British offices, some staff are accused of timeserving rather than contributing effectively.
American English
- American managers often discourage timeserving behavior to boost team performance.
adverb
British English
- He worked timeservingly, focusing only on clocking hours.
American English
- She completed tasks timeservingly, without any real engagement.
adjective
British English
- His timeserving approach was evident during the project review.
American English
- The timeserving attitude in the department led to frequent delays.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe employees who are not productive and only focus on time spent at work.
Academic
Rarely used; might appear in sociological or management studies discussing workplace behavior.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation; more likely in formal criticism or literature.
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “timeserver”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “timeserver”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “timeserver”
- Using 'timeserver' as a verb, e.g., 'He timeserves' is non-standard.
- Confusing with 'time server' in computing context, which refers to a network device.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is relatively uncommon and typically used in formal or critical contexts, such as business or literature.
Not standardly; the noun form is primary, though 'timeserve' might appear informally in some dialects or creative writing.
It derives from the words 'time' and 'server', historically meaning one who serves or spends time, often with a negative connotation dating back to the 16th century.
The negative connotation is consistent across English-speaking cultures, but its usage frequency may vary by region, being slightly more common in British English in literary contexts.
A person who does the bare minimum at work and is primarily concerned with passing time until the end of the day or until retirement.
Timeserver is usually formal or literary, often used in critical contexts. in register.
Timeserver: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪmˌsɜːvə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪmˌsɜːrvər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a timeserver as someone who 'serves time' like a prisoner, but in a job, just waiting for time to pass.
Conceptual Metaphor
Time is a prison to be served; work is a sentence.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of the word 'timeserver'?