Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense times, present participle timing, past tense, past participle timed
1. uncountable noun
Time is what we measure in minutes, hours, days, and years.
...a two-week period of time.
Time passed, and still Ma did not appear.
As time went on the visits got more and more regular.
The social significance of religion has changed over time.
2. singular noun [wh/theN]
You use time to ask or talk about a specific point in the day, which can be stated in hours and minutesand is shown on clocks.
'What time is it?'—'Eight o'clock.'
He asked me the time.
What time did he leave?
I phoned my mother to ask what time she was coming home.
The time is now 19 minutes past the hour.
3. countable noun
The time when something happens is the point in the day when it happens or is supposed to happen.
Departure times are 08:15 from St Quay, and 18:15 from St Helier.
4. See also opening time
5. uncountable noun
You use time to refer to the system of expressing time and counting hours that is used in a particularpart of the world.
The tidal predictions are expressed in Greenwich Mean Time. Add one hour for BritishSummer Time.
The incident happened just after ten o'clock local time.
6. uncountable noun [oft aNOUN]
You use time to refer to the period that you spend doing something or when something has beenhappening.
Adam spent a lot of time in his grandfather's office.
He wouldn't have the time or money to take care of me.
Listen to me, I haven't got much time.
It's obvious that you need more time to think.
The route was blocked for some time.
For a long time I didn't tell anyone.
A short time later they sat down to eat.
Thank you very much for your time.
Synonyms: period, while, term, season More Synonyms of time
7. singular noun
If you say that something has been happening for a time, you mean that it has been happening for a fairly long period of time.
He was also for a time the art critic of 'The Scotsman'.
He stayed for quite a time.
After a time they came to a pond.
8. countable noun [oft preposition NOUN]
You use time to refer to a period of time or a point in time, when you are describing what ishappening then. For example, if something happened at a particular time, that is when it happened. If it happens at all times, it always happens.
We were in the same college, which was male-only at that time.
By this time he was thirty.
During the times when I was too ill to write, I would ask a friend to make notesfor me.
It was a time of terrible uncertainty.
Homes are more affordable than at any time in the past five years.
It seemed like a good time to tell her.
There were times when he would ring his bell at all hours of the day or night.
Synonyms: occasion, point, moment, hour More Synonyms of time
9. countable noun [usually adjective NOUN]
You use time or times to talk about a particular period in history or in your life.
They were hard times and his parents had been struggling to raise their family.
We'll be alone together, quite like old times.
We are in one of the most severe recessions in modern times.
A 'Felucca' is the traditional Nile sailboat, unchanged since the time of the pharaohs.
Synonyms: age, days, era, year More Synonyms of time
10.
See behind the times
11. countable noun [adjective NOUN]
When you describe the time that you had on a particular occasion or during a particular part of your life, youare describing the sort of experience that you had then.
Sarah and I had a great time while the kids were away.
She's had a really tough time the last year and a half.
You had an easy time of it at home.
I try to remember all the good times I've had here.
12. singular noun
Your time is the amount of time that you have to live, or to do a particular thing.
The hunt for a solution is on, and time is running out.
Every administration has its time. And when your time is over, you leave.
I doubt I would change anything if I had my time again.
Synonyms: lifetime, day, life, season More Synonyms of time
If you say it is timefor something, timeto do something, or time you did something, you mean that this thing ought to happen or be done now.
Opinion polls indicated a feeling among the public that it was time for a change. [+ for]
It was time for him to go to work. [+ for]
This was no time to make a speech.
The time has come to put an end to the conflict.
It's time you went to school.
14. countable noun
When you talk about a time when something happens, you are referring to a specific occasion when it happens.
Every time she travels on the bus, it's delayed by at least three hours.
The last time I saw her was about sixteen years ago.
House prices are rising for the first time since November.
Next time you go shopping, throw in a few extra fruit and vegetables.
Remember that time she picked up my daughter when I was ill?
15. countable noun
You use time after numbers to say how often something happens.
It was her job to make tea three times a day.
How many times has your mother told you never to talk to strangers?
The tournament was won a second time by the American team.
16. plural noun
You use times after numbers when comparing one thing to another and saying, for example, how much bigger, smaller, better, or worse it is.
Its profits are rising four times faster than the average company.
Young people were several times more likely to be unemployed than older workers.
He polled four times as many votes as his rival.
...an area five times the size of Britain.
17. conjunction
You use times in arithmetic to link numbers or amounts that are multiplied together to reach a total.
Four times six is 24.
18. countable noun [oft poss NOUN]
Someone's time in a race is the amount of time it takes them to finish the race.
He was over a second faster than his previous best time.
She recorded a time of two minutes 8.74 seconds.
[Also + of]
19. uncountable noun [oft inNOUN]
The time of a piece of music is the number of beats that the piece has in each bar.
A reel is in four-four time, and a jig is in six-eight time.
Synonyms: tempo, beat, rhythm, measure More Synonyms of time
20. verb
If you time something for a particular time, you plan or decide to do it or cause it to happen at this time.
He timed the election to coincide with new measures to boost the economy. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
We had timed our visit for March 7. [VERB noun + for]
He had timed his intervention well. [VERB noun adverb]
Operation Amazon is timed to coincide with the start of the dry season. [V-ed to-inf]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: schedule, set, plan, book More Synonyms of time
21. verb
If you time an action or activity, you measure how long someone takes to do it or how long itlasts.
He timed each performance with a stop-watch. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: measure, judge, clock, count More Synonyms of time
22. See also timing
23.
See about time
24.
See ahead of time
25.
See ahead of your time
26.
See all the time
27.
See at a time
28.
See at any time
29.
See at the best of times
30.
See at one time
31.
See at the same time
32.
See at the same time
33.
See at times
34.
See before your time
35.
See before your time
36.
See not before time
37.
See call time on
38.
See to do time
39.
See for all time
40.
See for the time being
41.
See from time to time
42.
See half the time
43.
See to have no time/a lot of time for sb
44.
See it is high time
45.
See in time
46.
See in/given time
47.
See in/out of time
48.
See in a few etc minutes'/days'/weeks' etc time
49.
See in good time
50.
See (all) in good time
51.
See in (next to) no time
52.
See in your own time
53.
See in your own time
54.
See to keep time
55.
See to keep time
56.
See to make time
57.
See to make good time
58.
See to make up for lost time
59.
See to mark time
60.
See nine times out of ten
61.
See of all time
62.
See on time
63.
See only/just etc a question/matter of time
64.
See our time(s)
65.
See to pass the time
66.
See to pass the time of day
67.
See to play for time
68.
See to take time
69.
See to take your time
70.
See to tell the time
71.
See time after time
72.
See time flies
73.
See to have the time of your life
74.
See no time to lose
75.
See time will tell
76.
See to waste no time
77. time and again
78. to the end of time
79. in the fullness of time
80. there's no time like the present
81. the time is ripe
More Synonyms of time
time in British English
(taɪm)
noun
1.
a.
the continuous passage of existence in which events pass from a state of potentiality in the future, through the present, to a state of finality in the past
b.
(as modifier)
time travel
▶ Related adjective: temporal
2. physics
a quantity measuring duration, usually with reference to a periodic process such as the rotation of the earth or the vibration of electromagnetic radiation emitted from certain atoms. In classical mechanics, time is absolute in the sense that the time of an event is independent of the observer. According to the theory of relativity it depends on the observer's frame of reference. Time is considered as a fourth coordinate required, along with three spatial coordinates, to specify an event
caesium clock, second2 (sense 1), space-time
3.
a specific point on this continuum expressed in terms of hours and minutes
the time is four o'clock
4.
a system of reckoning for expressing time
Greenwich mean time
5.
a.
a definite and measurable portion of this continuum
b.
(as modifier)
time limit
6.
a.
an accepted period such as a day, season, etc
b.
(in combination)
springtime
7.
an unspecified interval; a while
I was there for a time
8. (often plural)
a period or point marked by specific attributes or events
the Victorian times
time for breakfast
9.
a sufficient interval or period
have you got time to help me?
10.
an instance or occasion
I called you three times
11.
an occasion or period of specified quality
have a good time
a miserable time
12.
the duration of human existence
13.
the heyday of human life
in her time she was a great star
14.
a suitable period or moment
it's time I told you
15.
the expected interval in which something is done
the flying time from New York to London was seven hours
16.
a particularly important moment, esp childbirth or death
her time had come
17. (plural)
indicating a degree or amount calculated by multiplication with the number specified
ten times three is thirty
he earns four times as much as me
18. (often plural)
the fashions, thought, etc, of the present age (esp in the phrases ahead of one's time, behind the times)
19. British(in bars, pubs, etc) short for closing time
20. informal
a term in jail (esp in the phrase do time)
21.
a.
a customary or full period of work
b.
the rate of pay for this period
22. Also (esp US): metre
a.
the system of combining beats or pulses in music into successive groupings by which the rhythm of the music is established
b.
a specific system having a specific number of beats in each grouping or bar
duple time
23. music short for time value
24. prosody
a unit of duration used in the measurement of poetic metre; mora
25. against time
26. ahead of time
27. all in good time
28. all the time
29. at one time
30. at the same time
31. at times
32. beat time
33. before one's time
34. for the time being
35. from time to time
36. gain time
37. have no time for
38. in good time
39. in no time
40. in one's own time
41. in time
42. keep time
43. lose time
44. lose no time
45. make time
46. mark1 (sense 35)
47. in the nick of time
48. on time
49. pass the time of day
50. time about
51. time and again
52. time off
53. time on
54. time out of mind
55. time of one's life
56. (modifier)
operating automatically at or for a set time, for security or convenience
time lock
time switch
verb(transitive)
57.
to ascertain or calculate the duration or speed of
58.
to set a time for
59.
to adjust to keep accurate time
60.
to pick a suitable time for
61. sport
to control the execution or speed of (an action, esp a shot or stroke) so that it has its full effect at theright moment
exclamation
62.
the word called out by a publican signalling that it is closing time
Word origin
Old English tīma; related to Old English tīd time, Old Norse tīmi, Alemannic zīme; see tide1
time in American English
(taɪm)
noun
1. duration; continuance
a.
indefinite, unlimited duration in which things are considered as happening in the past, present, or future;every moment there has ever been or ever will be
b.
a.
the entire period of existence of the known universe; finite duration, as distinguished from infinity
b.
the entire period of existence of the world or of humanity; earthly duration, as distinguished from eternity
c. [T-]
Father Time
c.
a system of measuring duration
solar time, standard time
2. a period or interval
a.
the period between two events or during which something exists, happens, or acts;measured or measurable interval
b. [often pl.]
any period in the history of man or of the universe, often specif. with referenceto a characteristic social structure, set of customs, famous person living then, etc.
prehistoric times, medieval times, geologic time, Lincoln's time
c.
a.
a period characterized by a prevailing condition or specific experience
a time of peace, have a good time
b. [usually pl.]
the prevailing conditions of a particular period
the times were difficult
d.
a period of duration set or thought of as set
; specif.,
a.
a period of existence; lifetime
his time is almost over
b.
a term of apprenticeship
c.
a term of imprisonment
d.
a term of military service
e. US, Obsolete
a period of indenture
e.
a period or periods necessary, sufficient, or available for something
no time for play
f.
the specific, usual, or allotted period during which something is done
the runner's time was 1.47 minutes; baking time, 20 minutes
g.
a.
the period regularly worked or to be worked by an employee
b.
the hourly rate of pay for the regular working hours
h.
rate of speed in marching, driving, working, etc.
quick time, double time
i. Theatre
one of the three unities
see also the (three) unities, at unity
j. Music
a.
the grouping of rhythmic beats into measures of equal length
b.
the characteristic rhythm of a piece of music in terms of this grouping, indicatedby the time signature
c.
the rate of speed at which a composition or passage is played; tempo
d. Loosely
the rhythm and tempo characteristic of a kind of composition
waltz time, march time
e.
the duration of a note or rest
k. Prosody
a unit of quantitative meter; esp., a mora, or short syllable
l. US, Sport
timeout
3. a point in duration; moment; instant; occasion
a.
a precise instant, second, minute, hour, day, week, month, or year, determined by clock or calendar
b.
the point at which something has happened, is happening, or will happen; occasion
game time is two o'clock
c.
the usual, natural, traditional, or appointed moment for something to happen, begin,or end [time to get up]
; specif.,
a.
the moment of death
his time is close at hand
b.
the end of a period of pregnancy; moment of giving birth
her time had come
c. US
one's turn at something
a time at bat
d.
the suitable, proper, favorable, or convenient moment
now is the time to act
e.
any one of a series of moments at which the same or nearly the same thing recurs; repeated occasion
told for the fifth time, time and time again
interjection
4. Sport
used to signify that a period of play or activity has ended or that play is temporarily suspended
verb transitiveWord forms: timed or ˈtiming
5.
to arrange or set the time of so as to be acceptable, suitable, opportune, etc.
to time an invasion
6.
to adjust, set, play, etc. so as to coincide in time with something else
to time one's watch with another's
7.
to regulate (a mechanism) for a given speed or length of operation
8.
to set the duration of (a syllable or musical note) as a unit of rhythm
9.
to calculate or record the pace, speed, finishing time, etc. of; clock
to time a runner
verb intransitive
10. Rare
to move in time; keep time
adjective
11.
having to do with time
12.
set or regulated so as to explode, open, etc. at a given time
a time bomb
13.
payable later or on a specified future date
a time loan
14. US
designating or of any of a series of payments made or to be made over a period oftime
a time payment
Idioms:
abreast of the times
against time
ahead of time
at one time
at the same time
at times
behind the times
behind time
between times
do time
for the time being
from time to time
gain time
in good time
in no time
in time
lose time
make time
make time with
many a time
on one's own time
on time
out of time
pass the time of day
time after time
time of life
time of one's life
time on one's hands
time out of mind
time was
Word origin
ME < OE tima, prob. < IE *dī-men < base *dā(i)-, to part, divide up > tide1
More idioms containing
time
ride two horses at the same time
in the nick of time
a race against time
a stitch in time
something has stood the test of time
be living on borrowed time
big time
call time on something
have time on your hands
hit the big time
in no time
mark time
play for time
have a whale of a time
COBUILD Collocations
time
difficult time
more time
right time
Examples of 'time' in a sentence
time
The government is committed to balancing the books over a sensible period of time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Three times more than my car insurance and four times more than home and buildingscover!
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Women are three times more likely to have it.
The Sun (2016)
There could hardly be a better time for an election.
The Sun (2016)
What happened the last time you went for a facial?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She has told me what a nasty and difficult man he is time and time again.
The Sun (2016)
These include leaving their mobile phones behind and taking temporary replacements to use during their time there.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet you still make time for your own projects.
The Sun (2016)
Obviously I was in the driving seat at the time and in control of the match.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This time anorexia became a way of getting some control into my life.
The Sun (2014)
We will focus on the important games coming up in a short period of time.
The Sun (2013)
We did it three or four times.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The opposite may happen for a time during withdrawal before normality returns.
Trickett, Shirley Coming Off Tranquillizers and Sleeping Pills (1991)
So we end up buying and eating the same meals time and again.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
When was the last time you used a catapult?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
What difference does it make in real time?
Christianity Today (2000)
This week it was announced the soap will air six times a week next year.
The Sun (2016)
It will take a long time to rebuild their confidence and get on with leading their lives.
The Sun (2010)
Very few people at that time got much education at all.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
Four times we tried to get it thrown out.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It will be timed to coincide with the main music festival season.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
These are not injuries that cause instant death but do cause death over time.
The Sun (2012)
He needs to get with the times.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They are designed to give the company time to work on a refinancing of its debt.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Love that grows with time links you with a new face where old friends meet.
The Sun (2014)
Is there any particular time that would be convenient?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Two carers came four times a day and were a godsend.
The Sun (2010)
This work was incomplete at the time of the change of government.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The commonest time is about a week after contact.
Westcott, Patsy Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)
What are your memories of the last time you worked together?
The Sun (2012)
And those who experience the most happiness learn to roll with the punches and rock the good times.
The Sun (2015)
Summer is the time for camping.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He grew increasingly religious, attending a mosque and saying prayers five times a day.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Quotations
But meanwhile it is flying, irretrievable time is flyingVirgilGeorgics
Time is the best medicineOvidRemedia Amoris
Every instant of time is a pinprick of eternityMarcus AureliusMeditations
Wait for that wisest of Counsellors, TimePericles
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die ... A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peaceBible: Ecclesiastes
Come what may, Time and the hour runs through the roughest dayWilliam ShakespeareMacbeth
Time, the subtle thief of youthJohn MiltonSonnet 7
Remember that time is moneyBenjamin FranklinAdvice to a Young Tradesman
Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills themDion BoucicaultLondon Assurance
The innocent and the beautiful have no enemy but timeW.B. Yeatsin memory of Eva Gore-Booth and Con Markiewicz
Time goes, you say? Ah, no! Alas, Time stays, we goHenry Austin DobsonThe Paradox of Time
Time rushes by and yet time is frozen. Funny how we get so exact about time at the end of life and at its beginningSister Helen Prejean
Time and tide wait for no man
Time flies (tempus fugit)
Time is a great healer
Time will tell
In other languages
time
British English: time /taɪm/ NOUN
how long something takes to happenTime is how long something takes to happen. We measure time in minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years.
I've known him for a long time.
American English: time
Arabic: وَقْت
Brazilian Portuguese: tempo período
Chinese: 时间
Croatian: vrijeme
Czech: čas
Danish: tid
Dutch: tijd
European Spanish: tiempo duración
Finnish: aika abstrakti käsite
French: temps durée
German: Zeit
Greek: χρόνος
Italian: tempo
Japanese: 時間
Korean: 시간
Norwegian: tid
Polish: czas okres trwania
European Portuguese: tempo período
Romanian: durată
Russian: время
Latin American Spanish: tiempo magnitud física
Swedish: tid
Thai: เวลา
Turkish: zaman
Ukrainian: час
Vietnamese: thời gian
British English: time /taɪm/ NOUN
current The time is a moment in the day that you describe in hours and minutes.
`What time is it?' — `Ten past five.'
American English: time
Arabic: وَقْت
Brazilian Portuguese: hora
Chinese: 时间
Croatian: vrijeme
Czech: doba
Danish: klokken
Dutch: tijd
European Spanish: hora
Finnish: aika
French: heure
German: Uhrzeit
Greek: ώρα
Italian: ora
Japanese: 時刻
Korean: 시간
Norwegian: tid
Polish: godzina
European Portuguese: tempo
Romanian: oradespre ceas
Russian: время
Latin American Spanish: hora
Swedish: klockan
Thai: เวลา
Turkish: saat
Ukrainian: час
Vietnamese: giờ
All related terms of 'time'
do time
to serve a prison term
in time
If you are in time for a particular event, you are not too late for it.
me-time
the time a person has to himself or herself, in which to do something for his or her own enjoyment
on time
If you are on time , you are not late.
time on
an additional period played at the end of a match , to compensate for time lost through injury or (in certain circumstances ) to allow the teams to achieve a conclusive result
air time
The airtime that something gets is the amount of time taken up with broadcasts about it.
all-time
You use all-time when you are comparing all the things of a particular type that there have ever been. For example , if you say that something is the all-time best , you mean that it is the best thing of its type that there has ever been.
beat time
If you beat time to a piece of music, you move your hand or foot up and down in time with the music. A conductor beats time to show the choir or orchestra how fast they should sing or play the music.
big time
You can use big time to refer to the highest level of an activity or sport where you can achieve the greatest amount of success or importance . If you describe a person as big time , you mean they are successful and important .
boom time
a period in which there is a surge of prosperity for a person, place, or industry
buy time
→ gain time (sense 2 ) (at → time )
call time
to suspend play temporarily
comp time
paid time off from work, given to an employee in lieu of overtime pay
core time
a system permitting flexibility of working hours at the beginning or end of the day, provided an agreed period of each day ( core time ) is spent at work
cut time
→ alla breve
dead time
the interval of time immediately following a stimulus , during which an electrical device, component , etc, is insensitive to a further stimulus
face time
Face-time is time that you spend talking directly to someone, rather than talking by phone or email.
fast time
→ daylight saving time
full time
Full-time work or study involves working or studying for the whole of each normal working week rather than for part of it.
gain time
If you do something in order to gain time , you do it in order to give yourself enough time to think of an excuse or a way out of a difficult situation.
good-time
(of a person) wildly seeking pleasure
half-time
Half-time is the short period of time between the two parts of a sporting event such as a football , rugby , or basketball game, when the players have a short rest.
hang time
the amount of time that a person or object is able to remain in the air
hard time
You use time or times to talk about a particular period in history or in your life.
high time
the latest possible time; a time that is almost too late
home time
time to go home
idle time
time during which a machine or a worker could be working but is not, as when one job has been completed and tooling or materials for the next are not complete or available
keep time
to observe correctly the accent or rhythmic pulse of a piece of music in relation to tempo
kill-time
an occupation that passes the time
lead time
Lead time is the time between the original design or idea for a particular product and its actual production.
long-time
You use long-time to describe something that has existed or been a particular thing for a long time.
lose time
(of a timepiece ) to operate too slowly
make time
to find an opportunity
mark time
to not do anything new or decisive , because you are waiting to see how a situation will develop
mean time
the time, at a particular place, measured in terms of the passage of the mean sun ; the timescale is not precisely constant
more time
You use time to refer to the period that you spend doing something or when something has been happening .
old-time
If you describe something as old-time , you mean that it was common or popular in the past but is not common or popular now .
one-time
One-time is used to describe something such as a job , position, or role which someone used to have, or something which happened in the past.
part-time
If someone is a part-time worker or has a part-time job , they work for only part of each day or week .
peak time
Programmes which are broadcast at peak time are broadcast when the greatest number of people are watching television or listening to the radio.
post time
the scheduled starting time of a horse race
real time
If something is done in real time , there is no noticeable delay between the action and its effect or consequence.
run time
Run time is the time during which a computer program is running .
slow time
a slow marching pace , usually 65 or 75 paces to the minute : used esp in funeral ceremonies
stop time
a passage where the beat stops temporarily
talk time
a prepaid amount of minutes or hours on a mobile phone bill agreement, etc
ticking time bomb
If you describe something as a time bomb , you mean that it is likely to have a serious effect on a person or situation at a later date , especially if you think it will cause a lot of damage.
time code
(on video or audio tape ) a separate track on which time references are continually recorded in digital form as an aid to editing
time fuse
a fuse designed to burn for a given time, esp to explode a bomb
time-lag
A time lag is a fairly long interval of time between one event and another related event that happens after it.
Chinese translation of 'time'
time
(taɪm)
n
(u)时(時)间(間) (shíjiān)
⇒ a period of time一段时间 (yī duàn shíjiān)
⇒ I haven't got much time.我没太多时间。 (Wǒ méi tài duō shíjiān.)
(u) (= period) 时(時)候 (shíhou)
⇒ during my time in Toronto我在多伦多的时候 (wǒ zài Duōlúnduō de shíhou)
(c) (= day) 时(時)期 (shíqī)
⇒ in these difficult times在这段困难时期 (zài zhè duàn kùnnan shíqī)
(s) (by clock) 时(時)间(間) (shíjiān)
⇒ I will see you at the same time next week.下星期和你在同一时间见面。 (Xià xīngqī hé nǐ zài tóngyī shíjiān jiànmiàn.)
(c) (= occasion) 次 (cì)
⇒ the last time I saw her我最后一次见到她 (wǒ zuìhòu yī cì jiàndào tā)
(u) (Mus) 节(節)拍 (jiépāi)
vt
(= measure time of) 计(計)时(時) (jìshí)
⇒ He timed his speech.他对自己的演讲进行了计时。 (Tā duì zìjǐ de yǎnjiǎng jìnxíngle jìshí.)
⇒ They timed his rate of breathing.他们计算他呼吸的频率。 (Tāmen jìsuàn tā hūxī de pínlǜ.)
(= fix moment for)[visit etc]定于(於) (dìng yú)
⇒ They timed the attack for six o'clock.他们定于6点发动攻击。 (Tāmen dìng yú liù diǎn fādòng gōngjī.)
it is time for sth/to do sth是做某事的时(時)候 (shì zuò mǒushì de shíhou)
to have a good/bad time度过(過)一段愉快/不愉快的时(時)光 (dùguò yī duàn yúkuài/bù yúkuài de shíguāng)
to spend time花时(時)间(間) (huā shíjiān)
to spend one's time doing sth花时(時)间(間)做某事 (huā shíjiān zuò mǒushì)
three times a day一日三次 (yī rì sān cì)
three times the size of sth某物大小的3倍 (mǒuwù dàxiǎo de sān bèi)
four at a time一次4个(個) (yī cì sì gè)
for a time好一段时(時)间(間) (hǎo yī duàn shíjiān)
all the time总(總)是 (zǒngshì)
for the time being暂(暫)时(時) (zànshí)
from time to time偶尔(爾) (ǒu'ěr)
time after time, time and again一次次 (yī cì cì)
at one time (= in the past) 曾经(經) (céngjīng)
at the same time (= nevertheless) 然而 (rán'ér) (= simultaneously) 同时(時) (tóngshí)
at times (= sometimes) 有时(時) (yǒushí)
in time (= eventually) 到时(時) (dàoshí)
to be in time (Mus)[singers, dancers etc]合拍 (hépāi)
in time (for)正好赶(趕)上( ... ) (zhènghǎo gǎnshàng ( ... ))
in a week's/month's time一周(週)/月以后(後) (yī zhōu/yuè yǐhòu)
in no time, in next to no time立刻 (lìkè)
it's about time ... or it's high time ... 早就该(該) ... (zǎo jiù gāi ... )
the best/worst film of all time有史以来(來)最好/最差的电(電)影 (yǒu shǐ yǐ lái zuì hǎo/zuì chà de diànyǐng)
any time任何时(時)候 (rènhé shíhou)
on time准(準)时(時) (zhǔnshí)
once upon a time很久以前 (hěn jiǔ yǐqián)
to be 30 minutes behind time/ahead of time晚了/提前30分钟(鐘) (wǎnle/tíqián sānshí fēnzhōng)
by the time he arrived到他到达(達)时(時) (dào tā dàodá shí)
5 times 5 is 255乘5等于(於)25 (wǔ chéng wǔ děngyú èrshíwǔ)
what time is it?, what's the time?几(幾)点(點)了？ (jǐ diǎn le?)
to ask sb the time问(問)某人时(時)间(間) (wèn mǒurén shíjiān)
time off (from work) 休假 (xiūjià)
to have a hard time受苦受难(難) (shòu kǔ shòu nàn)
time's up!时(時)间(間)到了！ (shíjiān dào le!)
to have no time for sth (fig) 没(沒)有时(時)间(間)关(關)注某事 (méiyǒu shíjiān guānzhù mǒushì)
in one's own (good) time (= without being hurried) 从(從)容地 (cóngróng de)
in or (US) on one's own time (= out of working hours) 业(業)余(餘)时(時)间(間) (yèyú shíjiān)
to take one's time慢慢来(來) (mànmàn lái)
to take time需要时(時)间(間) (xūyào shíjiān)
to be behind the times落伍 (luòwǔ)
to be ahead of or before one's time领(領)先于(於)某人的时(時)代 (lǐngxiān yú mǒurén de shídài)
to time sth well/badly某段时(時)间(間)计(計)划(劃)得好/糟糕 (mǒu duàn shíjiān jìhuà de hǎo/zāogāo)
to be timed to happen定于(於)发(發)生 (dìng yú fāshēng)
All related terms of 'time'
in time
( eventually ) 到时(時) dàoshí
on time
准(準)时(時) zhǔnshí
any time
任何时(時)候 rènhé shíhou
time off
( from work ) 休假 xiūjià
time out
休场(場) xiūchǎng [ 英 = stoppage ]
full-time
( work, study ) 全职(職)的 quánzhí de
half-time
半场(場) bànchǎng
part-time
( work, staff, course, student ) 兼职(職)的 jiānzhí de
( simultaneously ) 同时(時) tóngshí ⇒ They started moving at the same time. → 他们同时开始移动。 Tāmen tóngshí kāishǐ yídòng.
four at a time
一次4个(個) yī cì sì gè
once upon a time
( in stories ) 很久以前 hěnjiǔ yǐqián
the time is ripe
时(時)机(機)已成熟 shíjī yǐ chéngshú
to play for time
为(為)争(爭)取时(時)间(間)而拖延 wèi zhēngqǔ shíjiān ér tuōyán
to tell the time
看时(時)间(間) kàn shíjiān
what time is it?
几(幾)点(點)了？ jǐdiǎn le?
a race against time
抢(搶)时(時)间(間) qiǎng shíjiān
for the time being
暂(暫)时(時) zànshí
in one's own (good) time
( without being hurried ) 从(從)容地 cóngróng de
in two weeks' time
在两(兩)周(週)后(後) zài liǎng zhōu hòu
it's time for lunch
该(該)吃午饭(飯)了 gāi chī wǔfàn le
1 (noun)
Definition
at the speed of one's choice
For a long time I didn't tell anyone.
Synonyms
period
a period of a few months
while
They walked on in silence for a while.
term
a 12-month term of service
season
birds arriving for the breeding season
space
They've come a long way in a short space of time.
stretch
He would study for eight- to ten-hour stretches.
spell
There has been a spell of dry weather.
phase
The crisis is entering a crucial phase.
interval
There was a long interval of silence.
span
The batteries had a life span of six hours.
period of time
stint
a five-year stint in Hong Kong
duration
the duration of the trial
length of time
time frame
timeline
2 (noun)
Definition
a suitable moment
It seemed like a good time to tell her.
Synonyms
occasion
I often think fondly of an occasion some years ago.
point
At this point, Diana arrived.
moment
At this moment a car stopped outside the house.
hour
stage
the final stage of the tour
instance
a serious instance of corruption
instant
At the same instant, she flung open the car door.
point in time
juncture
We're at a critical juncture.
3 (noun)
Definition
a period or point marked by specific attributes or events
The design has remained unchanged since the time of the pharaohs.
Synonyms
age
the age of steam and steel
days
era
a custom pre-dating the Christian era
year
date
There are two important dates for you to remember.
generation
The whole island could become a desert within a generation.
duration
epoch
the beginning of a major epoch in world history
chronology
aeon
4 (noun)
I was having a hard time in school.
Synonyms
experience
life
conditions
circumstances
5 (noun)
Definition
a specific system having a specific number of beats in each grouping or bar
A reel is in four-four time.
Synonyms
tempo
Elgar supplied his work with precise indications of tempo.
beat
the dance beats of the last two decades
rhythm
the rhythm and rhyme inherent in nursery rhymes
measure
metre
6 (noun)
I wouldn't change anything if I had my time again.
Synonyms
lifetime
During my lifetime I haven't got round to much travelling.
day
In my day newspapers were more popular.
life
He spent the last fourteen years of his life in retirement.
season
duration
life span
allotted span
7 (noun)
He was a very good jockey in his time.
Synonyms
heyday
In its heyday, the studio boasted it had more stars than heaven.
prime
She was in her intellectual prime.
peak
hour
springtime
salad days
best years or days
1 (verb)
He timed each performance with a stopwatch.
Synonyms
measure
Measure the length and width of the gap.
judge
clock
count
I count him as one of my best friends.
2 (verb)
We had timed our visit for March 7.
Synonyms
schedule
No new talks are scheduled.
set
A date will be set for a future meeting.
plan
I had been planning a trip to the West Coast.
book
She booked herself a flight home last night.
programme
His homework is more manageable now because it is programmed into his schedule.
set up
fix
He's fixed a time when I can see him.
arrange
She arranged an appointment for Friday afternoon.
line up
organize
We need someone to help organize our campaign.
timetable
I had nothing timetabled around this lunch-break.
slate (US)
The meeting is slated for next Thursday.
fix up
prearrange
3 (verb)
an alarm timed to go off every hour on the hour
Synonyms
regulate
He breathed deeply, trying to regulate the pound of his heartbeat.
control
calculate
idioms
See ahead of time
See ahead of your or its time
See all the time
See at one time
See at the same time
phrases
See at times
See behind the times
See for the time being
See from time to time
See in good time
See in no time
See in time
See many a time
See on time
See time after time
See time and again
related words
related adjectivetemporal
subject word lists
See General vocabularySee Gregorian calendarSee Jewish calendarSee Muslim calendarSee French revolutionary calendarSee Time zones
Quotations
But meanwhile it is flying, irretrievable time is flying [Virgil – Georgics]Time is the best medicine [Ovid – Remedia Amoris]Every instant of time is a pinprick of eternity [Marcus Aurelius – Meditations]Wait for that wisest of Counsellors, Time [Pericles]To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die ... A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace [Bible: Ecclesiastes]Come what may, Time and the hour runs through the roughest day [William Shakespeare – Macbeth]Time, the subtle thief of youth [John Milton – Sonnet 7]Remember that time is money [Benjamin Franklin – Advice to a Young Tradesman]Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them [Dion Boucicault – London Assurance]The innocent and the beautiful have no enemy but time [W.B. Yeats – in memory of Eva Gore-Booth and Con Markiewicz]Time goes, you say? Ah, no! Alas, Time stays, we go [Henry Austin Dobson – The Paradox of Time]Time rushes by and yet time is frozen. Funny how we get so exact about time at the end of life and at its beginning [Sister Helen Prejean]
proverbs
Time and tide wait for no manTime flies (tempus fugit)Time is a great healerTime will tell
Additional synonyms
in the sense of arrange
Definition
to plan in advance
She arranged an appointment for Friday afternoon.
Synonyms
plan,
agree,
prepare,
determine,
schedule,
organize,
construct,
devise,
contrive,
fix up,
jack up (New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of beat
Definition
the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music
the dance beats of the last two decades
Synonyms
rhythm,
time,
measure,
movement,
pattern,
swing,
metre,
accent,
pulse,
tempo,
cadence,
lilt
in the sense of book
Definition
to reserve (a place, passage, etc.) or engage the services of (someone) in advance
She booked herself a flight home last night.
Synonyms
reserve,
schedule,
engage,
line up,
organize,
charter,
arrange for,
procure,
make reservations,
e-book or ebook
Synonyms of 'time'
time
Explore 'time' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of count
Definition
to consider
I count him as one of my best friends.
Synonyms
consider,
judge,
regard,
deem,
think of,
rate,
esteem (formal),
look upon,
impute
in the sense of date
Definition
a specified day of the month
There are two important dates for you to remember.
Synonyms
day,
time,
occasion,
year,
anniversary,
day of the month
in the sense of day
Definition
a period or point in time
In my day newspapers were more popular.
Synonyms
time,
age,
era,
prime,
period,
generation,
heyday,
epoch
in the sense of duration
Definition
the length of time that something lasts
the duration of the trial
Synonyms
length,
time,
period,
term,
stretch,
extent,
spell,
span,
time frame,
timeline
in the sense of epoch
Definition
a long period of time marked by some predominant characteristic
the beginning of a major epoch in world history
Synonyms
era,
time,
age,
period,
date,
aeon
in the sense of era
Definition
an extended period of time measured from a fixed point
a custom pre-dating the Christian era
Synonyms
age,
time,
period,
stage,
date,
generation,
cycle,
epoch,
aeon,
day or days
in the sense of fix
Definition
to settle definitely or decide upon
He's fixed a time when I can see him.
Synonyms
decide,
set,
name,
choose,
limit,
establish,
determine,
settle,
appoint,
arrange,
define,
conclude,
resolve,
arrive at,
specify,
agree on
in the sense of generation
Definition
the average time between two generations of a species, about 35 years for humans
The whole island could become a desert within a generation.
Synonyms
age,
period,
era,
time,
days,
lifetime,
span,
epoch
in the sense of instance
Definition
a case or particular example
a serious instance of corruption
Synonyms
example,
case,
occurrence,
occasion,
sample,
illustration,
precedent,
case in point,
exemplification
in the sense of instant
Definition
a particular moment
At the same instant, she flung open the car door.
Synonyms
time,
point,
hour,
moment,
stage,
occasion,
phase,
juncture
Additional synonyms
in the sense of interval
Definition
the period of time between two events
There was a long interval of silence.
Synonyms
period,
time,
spell,
term,
season,
space,
stretch,
pause,
span
in the sense of juncture
Definition
a point in time, esp. a critical one
We're at a critical juncture.
Synonyms
moment,
time,
point,
crisis,
occasion,
emergency,
strait,
contingency,
predicament,
crux,
exigency,
conjuncture
in the sense of life
Definition
the remainder or extent of one's life
He spent the last fourteen years of his life in retirement.
Synonyms
existence,
being,
lifetime,
time,
days,
course,
span,
duration,
continuance
in the sense of moment
Definition
a specific instant or point in time
At this moment a car stopped outside the house.
Synonyms
time,
point,
stage,
instant,
point in time,
hour,
juncture
in the sense of organize
Definition
to plan and arrange (something)
We need someone to help organize our campaign.
Synonyms
arrange,
run,
plan,
form,
prepare,
establish,
set up,
shape,
schedule,
frame,
look after,
be responsible for,
construct,
constitute,
devise,
put together,
take care of,
see to (informal),
get together,
marshal,
contrive,
get going,
coordinate,
fix up,
straighten out,
lay the foundations of,
lick into shape,
jack up (New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of phase
Definition
any distinct or characteristic stage in a sequence of events
The crisis is entering a crucial phase.
Synonyms
stage,
time,
state,
point,
position,
step,
development,
condition,
period,
chapter,
aspect,
juncture
in the sense of plan
Definition
to form a plan (for)
I had been planning a trip to the West Coast.
Synonyms
devise,
arrange,
prepare,
scheme,
frame,
plot,
draft,
organize,
outline,
invent,
formulate,
contrive,
think out,
concoct
in the sense of point
Definition
a moment
At this point, Diana arrived.
Synonyms
moment,
time,
stage,
period,
phase,
instant,
juncture,
moment in time,
very minute
in the sense of prime
Definition
a period of power, vigour, and activity
She was in her intellectual prime.
Synonyms
peak,
flower,
bloom,
maturity,
height,
perfection,
best days,
heyday,
zenith,
full flowering
in the sense of programme
Definition
to schedule (something) as a programme
His homework is more manageable now because it is programmed into his schedule.
Synonyms
schedule,
plan,
timetable,
book,
bill,
list,
design,
arrange,
work out,
line up,
organize,
lay on,
formulate,
map out,
itemize,
prearrange
Additional synonyms
in the sense of rhythm
Definition
(in poetry) the arrangement of words to form a regular pattern of stresses
the rhythm and rhyme inherent in nursery rhymes
Synonyms
metre,
time,
measure,
stress,
flow,
cadence
in the sense of season
Definition
any definite or indefinite period
birds arriving for the breeding season
Synonyms
period,
time,
term,
spell,
time of year
in the sense of set
Definition
to arrange or establish
A date will be set for a future meeting.
Synonyms
arrange,
decide (upon),
settle,
name,
establish,
determine,
fix,
schedule,
appoint,
specify,
allocate,
designate,
ordain,
fix up,
agree upon
in the sense of slate
Definition
to plan or schedule
The meeting is slated for next Thursday.
Synonyms
schedule,
plan,
book,
programme,
appoint,
arrange
in the sense of space
Definition
an interval of distance or time between two points, objects, or events
They've come a long way in a short space of time.
Synonyms
period,
interval,
time,
while,
stretch,
span,
duration,
time frame,
timeline
in the sense of span
Definition
the complete extent
The batteries had a life span of six hours.
Synonyms
period,
term,
duration,
course,
stretch,
spell
in the sense of spell
Definition
a period of time of weather or activity
There has been a spell of dry weather.
Synonyms
period,
time,
term,
stretch,
turn,
course,
season,
patch,
interval,
bout,
stint
in the sense of stage
Definition
a step or period of development, growth, or progress
the final stage of the tour
Synonyms
step,
leg,
phase,
point,
level,
period,
division,
length,
lap,
juncture
in the sense of stint
Definition
a given amount of work
a five-year stint in Hong Kong
Synonyms
term,
time,
turn,
bit,
period,
share,
tour,
shift,
stretch,
spell,
quota,
assignment
in the sense of stretch
Definition
extent in time
He would study for eight- to ten-hour stretches.
Synonyms
period,
time,
spell,
stint,
run,
term,
bit,
space
Additional synonyms
in the sense of term
Definition
a period of time
a 12-month term of service
Synonyms
period,
time,
spell,
while,
season,
space,
interval,
span,
duration,
incumbency
in the sense of timetable
Definition
to set a time when a particular thing should be done
I had nothing timetabled around this lunch-break.
Synonyms
schedule,
plan,
arrange,
organize,
set,
book,
programme,
set up,
line up,
slate (informal),
slot in,
fix up,
prearrange
in the sense of while
Definition
a period of time
They walked on in silence for a while.
Synonyms
time,
period,
stretch,
spell,
patch (British, informal),
interval,
period of time,
stint
All related terms of 'time'
in time
on time, on schedule, in good time, at the appointed time, early
on time
punctual(ly), prompt(ly), on schedule, in good time, on the dot