word time
A1Universal across all registers, from highly technical to casual.
Definition
Meaning
the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.
A measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues; a point or period assigned for a particular purpose or occurrence.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
One of the most polysemous words in English; functions as a noun (most common), verb, and in compounds. Central to expressions of measurement, scheduling, opportunity, and experience.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor differences in prepositional use (e.g., 'at the weekend' UK vs. 'on the weekend' US). Spelling in compounds: 'timetable' (UK) vs. 'schedule' (US) is more common, though 'timetable' is understood.
Connotations
Similar core connotations. The phrase 'a good time' can have slight contextual variance, with US English perhaps more readily associating it with entertainment.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both variants with near-identical core usage patterns.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
It's time to + VIt's time for + Nspend time + V-ingtake time + to Vhave time + to VVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Time is money”
- “In the nick of time”
- “Behind the times”
- “For the time being”
- “Once upon a time”
- “A race against time”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to deadlines, schedules, productivity ('time management', 'lead time', 'down time').
Academic
Used in physics, philosophy, history, and linguistics as a fundamental concept ('space-time', 'time period', 'verb tense').
Everyday
Scheduling, describing duration, asking for the hour, discussing age ('What time is it?', 'I lived there for a time', 'At my time of life').
Technical
In computing ('real-time', 'processing time'), in music ('time signature', 'keeping time'), in sports ('full-time', 'injury time').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She timed her run perfectly to catch the train.
- The quizmaster will time each round.
American English
- He timed his investment to coincide with the market upturn.
- Make sure to time the cookies so they don't burn.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb; usually in compounds like 'time-consuming')
- The engine fires time after time.
American English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb; archaic/poetic) He arrived home time and again.
- Used in 'time-release' capsules.
adjective
British English
- We are installing time-lapse cameras.
- He works the night-time shift.
American English
- The software includes time-saving features.
- They attended a time-management seminar.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- What time do you finish work?
- We had a great time at the party.
- I need more time to finish my homework.
- It's high time you learned to cook for yourself.
- By the time we arrived, the film had already started.
- She spends a lot of time gardening at the weekend.
- The government is running out of time to pass the new legislation.
- From time to time, I still think about my old school friends.
- His story didn't add up—the timings were all wrong.
- The researcher accounted for the time-lag in the data transmission.
- His argument was a compelling critique of the prevailing Zeitgeist of the time.
- They are working round the clock, against time, to complete the prototype.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TICKING clock. The word TIME ticks with the 'I' sound in the middle, just like the clock goes 'tick-tock'.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RESOURCE (spend, waste, save, invest time); TIME IS MONEY; TIME IS A MOVING OBJECT (time flies, time passes); TIME IS A CONTAINER (in time, within the time).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'time' for 'раз' meaning 'occasion' (use 'once', 'twice', or 'time' only in phrases like 'three times').
- Do not translate 'время' as 'weather'—the words are false friends.
- The phrase 'on time' means punctual, while 'in time' means before a deadline or early enough.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'since' instead of 'for' with durations of time (e.g., 'I have been here since three hours' is wrong; use 'for three hours').
- Confusing 'sometime' (an unspecified time), 'some time' (a duration), and 'sometimes' (occasionally).
- Incorrect preposition: 'What is the time in your watch?' (correct: 'on your watch').
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase means 'to do something slowly or without hurry'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'On time' means punctually, at the scheduled time (e.g., The train arrived on time). 'In time' means early enough, before it's too late (e.g., We got to the station in time to buy coffee).
Yes. As a verb, it means to measure the duration of something, to schedule something for a particular moment, or to choose the best moment for an action (e.g., She timed her speech to last five minutes).
It means 'for now', 'temporarily', or 'until some other arrangement is made' (e.g., We're staying in a hotel for the time being).
No, other common and polite phrases include 'Do you have the time?', 'Could you tell me the time, please?', and 'Have you got the time?'.