time

noun

UK /taɪm/

Word Forms

singular	time
plural	times

1
uncountable the quantity that you measure using a clock
Time seemed to pass more quickly than before.
Synonyms and related words
Telling the time by a clock
0900/1300 etc hours
about
advanced
1. 1a
  countable/uncountable a particular moment during a day, measured on a clock
  What time does the film start?
  What time is it?
  tell the time (=be able to understand what the time is by looking at a clock):
  We’re teaching them how to tell the time.
  at this time of day:
  She won’t be busy at this time of day.
  Synonyms and related words
  Moments and short periods of time
  moment
  second
  instant
2. 1b
  uncountable the time in a particular part of the world
  It was six o’clock in the morning, Pacific Standard Time.
  Synonyms and related words
  Telling the time by a clock
  0900/1300 etc hours
  about
  advanced
2
countable a particular amount of time
a long/short time:
She thought about it for a long time.
She left a short time ago.
a/the length of time:
There have been improvements in the length of time patients have to wait for treatment.
Synonyms and related words
General periods of time
a clear run
a page in something’s history
block
1. 2a
  often plurala period in history
  in the time between the wars
  Not since Roman times had a single nation been so powerful.
  time of:
  It was a time of tremendous political uncertainty.
  Synonyms and related words
  General periods of time
  a clear run
  a page in something’s history
  block
2. 2b
  a period in someone’s life
  someone’s time as something:
  She thoroughly enjoyed her time as manager.
  someone’s time at something:
  He speaks of his time at university as a happy one.
  an easy/hard time:
  When the kids were young it was a particularly hard time.
  Synonyms and related words
  General periods of time
  a clear run
  a page in something’s history
  block
3
countable an occasion
the time (when) someone does something:
Do you remember the time we drove the car to Paris?
the first/second/last etc time:
It was the first time we’d met.
(the) next time:
The next time you need financial advice, come and see me.
Synonyms and related words
General words for situations and circumstances
situation
circumstance
conditions
1. 3a
  countable an experience
  a good/bad time:
  It’s my job to make sure the guests have a good time.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for situations and circumstances
  situation
  circumstance
  conditions
2. 3b
  countable/uncountable a moment
  at the/that/this time:
  I was sitting by the window at the time.
  at the time of doing something/at the time you do something:
  You can get travel insurance at the time of booking.
  at the time of writing (=when this article, report etc was written):
  No medical evidence was available at the time of writing.
  Synonyms and related words
  Moments and short periods of time
  moment
  second
  instant
3. 3c
  uncountable a particular point when something happens
  She left the bar a few minutes before closing time.
  time for:
  They said they would call us when it was time for dinner.
  it’s time (that) someone did something/was doing something:
  Isn’t it time the children went to bed?
  It’s time we were leaving.
  Synonyms and related words
  Moments and short periods of time
  moment
  second
  instant
4. 3d
  singular a particular moment that is suitable or not suitable for something
  When would be a good time to discuss it?
  I’m afraid now isn’t a very convenient time for me.
  the right/wrong time:
  Now seemed the right time to make a change.
  Synonyms and related words
  Moments and short periods of time
  moment
  second
  instant
5. 3e
  countable used for saying how often something happens
  Check the temperature two or three times a day.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words relating to frequency and duration
  frequency
  rate
  irregularity
4
uncountable the time that is available for something
She will have less time to spend with family and friends now.
Synonyms and related words
General periods of time
a clear run
a page in something’s history
block
1. 4a
  countable/uncountable the amount of time that you need for a particular activity
  Bad weather could add another hour to your journey time.
  We have reduced the delivery time from four days to two.
  Synonyms and related words
  General periods of time
  a clear run
  a page in something’s history
  block
2. 4b
  countable the amount of time that someone takes to finish a race
  She’s cut two seconds off her previous best time.
  Synonyms and related words
  Races and racing
  ahead
  a poor second
  baton
5
uncountable musicthe rhythm of a piece of music, shown as the number of beats in each bar
a piece in 6–8 time
Synonyms and related words
Instructions and annotations in music
adagio
allegro
andante
6
call time on something
stop something
Gary Neville called time on his playing career at the age of 35.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 14/05/2017
Open Dictionary - May2017
7
take the time (to do something)
to spend the time to do something for another person (usually a good thing)
Receiving letters was having something that came through that was yours and someone had taken the time to write to you.
Submitted by:
Ismail from Russian Federation on 21/07/2017
Open Dictionary - July2017
8
not give someone the time of day
to refuse to speak to someone
After the way Dave talked about me during the meeting, I wouldn’t give him the time of day.
Submitted by:
Ismail from Russian Federation on 03/08/2017
Open Dictionary - August2017
9
time’s up
spoken
used to say that there is no more time available to continue doing something
Alright, everyone, time’s up. Please turn in your spelling tests.
Submitted by:
Caleb Judy from United States on 12/08/2015
Open Dictionary - August2015
10
time well spent
a good use of someone’s time
Time spent planning is time well spent.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 27/02/2018
Open Dictionary - February2018
11
give it/something time
to wait or to be patient
Things seem bad now but if you give it time they might get better.
Submitted by:
Emran Khoshrouye Ghiasi from Iran, Islamic Republic of on 21/05/2019
Open Dictionary - May2019

phrases

about time

against time

ahead of time

ahead of your/its etc time

all the time

at a time

at all times

at no time

at one time

at this time

at times

be out of time

before your time

by the time

call time

call time on something

do time

find (the) time

the first/second etc time round/around

for a time

for days/weeks etc at a time

for some time

from time to time

half the time

have all the time in the world

have a lot of time for

have no time for

in no time (at all)

in your own (good) time

in your own time

in someone’s time

in time

it’s only a matter/question of time

keep time

kill time

lose time

make good/excellent time

make (the) time

not give someone the time of day

not have much time for

of all time

on time

over time

pass the time

there’s a first time for everything

there’s no time to lose

time after time

time and a half

time flies

time is money

time is of the essence

time is on your side

time’s up

time of the month

time waits for no one

time was (when)

time will tell

when the time comes

the whole time

with time

with time to spare

time

noun

US /taɪm/

Word Forms

singular	time
plural	times

1
uncountable the quantity that you measure using a clock
Time seemed to pass more quickly than before.
Synonyms and related words
Telling the time by a clock
0900/1300 etc. hours
about
advanced
1. 1a
  countable/uncountable a particular moment during a day, measured on a clock
  What time is it?
  What time does the movie start?
  tell time (=be able to understand what the time is by looking at a clock):
  We’re teaching them how to tell time.
  at this time of day:
  Rachel won’t be busy at this time of day.
  Synonyms and related words
  Moments and short periods of time
  moment
  second
  instant
2. 1b
  uncountable the time in a particular part of the world
  It was six o’clock in the morning, Pacific Standard Time.
  Synonyms and related words
  Telling the time by a clock
  0900/1300 etc. hours
  about
  advanced
2
countable a particular amount of time
a long/short time:
She thought about it for a long time.
She left a short time ago.
a/the length of time:
There have been improvements in the length of time patients have to wait for treatment.
Synonyms and related words
General periods of time
a clear run
a page in something’s history
block
1. 2a
  a period in someone’s life
  someone’s time as something:
  She thoroughly enjoyed her time as manager.
  someone’s time at something:
  He speaks of his time at the university as a happy one.
  an easy/hard time:
  When the kids were young it was a particularly hard time.
  Synonyms and related words
  General periods of time
  a clear run
  a page in something’s history
  block
2. 2b
  often plurala period in history
  in the time between the wars
  Not since Roman times had a single nation been so powerful.
  time of:
  It was a time of tremendous political uncertainty.
  Synonyms and related words
  General periods of time
  a clear run
  a page in something’s history
  block
3
countable an occasion
the time (when) someone does something:
Do you remember the time we drove the car to Paris?
(the) next time:
The next time you need financial advice, come and see me.
the first/second/last etc. time:
It was the first time we’d met.
Synonyms and related words
General words for situations and circumstances
situation
circumstance
conditions
1. 3a
  countable an experience
  a good/bad time:
  It’s my job to make sure the guests have a good time.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for situations and circumstances
  situation
  circumstance
  conditions
2. 3b
  countable/uncountable a moment
  at the/that/this time:
  I was sitting by the window at the time.
  at the time of doing something/at the time you do something:
  You can get travel insurance at the time you book the flight.
  Synonyms and related words
  Moments and short periods of time
  moment
  second
  instant
3. 3c
  uncountable a particular point when something happens
  She left the bar a few minutes before closing time.
  It’s time we were leaving.
  time for:
  They said they would call us when it was time for dinner.
  it’s time (that) someone did something/was doing something:
  Isn’t it time the children went to bed?
  Synonyms and related words
  Moments and short periods of time
  moment
  second
  instant
4. 3d
  singular a particular moment that is appropriate or not appropriate for something
  When would be a good time to discuss it?
  the right/wrong time:
  Now seemed the right time to make a change.
  Synonyms and related words
  Moments and short periods of time
  moment
  second
  instant
5. 3e
  countable used for saying how often something happens
  Check the temperature two or three times a day.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words relating to frequency and duration
  frequency
  rate
  irregularity
4
uncountable the time that is available for something
She will have less time to spend with family and friends now.
Synonyms and related words
General periods of time
a clear run
a page in something’s history
block
1. 4a
  countable/uncountable the amount of time that you need for a particular activity
  Bad weather could add another hour to your travel time.
  We have reduced the delivery time from four days to two.
  Synonyms and related words
  General periods of time
  a clear run
  a page in something’s history
  block
2. 4b
  countable the amount of time that someone takes to finish a race
  She’s cut two seconds off her previous best time.
  Synonyms and related words
  Races and racing
  ahead
  a poor second
  baton
5
uncountable musicthe rhythm of a piece of music, shown as the number of beats in each measure
a piece in 6–8 time
Synonyms and related words
Instructions and annotations in music
adagio
allegro
andante
6
call time on something
stop something
Gary Neville called time on his playing career at the age of 35.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 14/05/2017
Open Dictionary - May2017
7
take the time (to do something)
to spend the time to do something for another person (usually a good thing)
Receiving letters was having something that came through that was yours and someone had taken the time to write to you.
Submitted by:
Ismail from Russian Federation on 21/07/2017
Open Dictionary - July2017
8
not give someone the time of day
to refuse to speak to someone
After the way Dave talked about me during the meeting, I wouldn’t give him the time of day.
Submitted by:
Ismail from Russian Federation on 03/08/2017
Open Dictionary - August2017
9
time’s up
spoken
used to say that there is no more time available to continue doing something
Alright, everyone, time’s up. Please turn in your spelling tests.
Submitted by:
Caleb Judy from United States on 12/08/2015
Open Dictionary - August2015
10
time well spent
a good use of someone’s time
Time spent planning is time well spent.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 27/02/2018
Open Dictionary - February2018
11
give it/something time
to wait or to be patient
Things seem bad now but if you give it time they might get better.
Submitted by:
Emran Khoshrouye Ghiasi from Iran, Islamic Republic of on 21/05/2019
Open Dictionary - May2019

phrases

about time

against time

ahead of time

ahead of your/its etc. time

all the time

at a time

at all times

at no time

at one time

at this time

at times

be out of time

before your time

by the time

call time on something

do time

find (the) time

the first/second etc. time round/around

for a time

for days/weeks etc. at a time

for some time

from time to time

half the time

have all the time in the world

have a lot of time for

have no time for

in no time (at all)

in your own (good) time

in your own time

in someone’s time

in time

it’s only a matter/question of time

keep time

kill time

lose time

make good/excellent time

make (the) time

not give someone the time of day

not have much time for

of all time

on your own time

on time

over time

pass the time

there’s a first time for everything

there’s no time to lose

time after time

time and a half

time flies

time is money

time is of the essence

time is on your side

time’s up

time of the month

time waits for no one

time was (when)

time will tell

when the time comes

the whole time

with time

with time to spare

time

verb transitive

UK /taɪm/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	time
he/she/it	times
present participle	timing
past tense	timed
past participle	timed

1
to arrange something so that it happens at a particular time
The exhibition has been timed to coincide with the publication of her new book.
Synonyms and related words
To choose, or to change the timing of something
fix
time
schedule
1. 1a
  to do something by chance at a particular moment
  You timed that well: we’re just about to have something to eat.
  Synonyms and related words
  Chance events and happening by chance
  accident
  coincidence
  fluke
2
to hit a ball well or badly in sport because of the exact moment when you hit it
beautifully/perfectly timed:
Murray’s perfectly timed pass set Snell up for a well-taken goal.
Synonyms and related words
To kick or hit a ball in a game or sport
strike at
kick
play
3
to use a clock to measure something, for example how long something lasts or how often something happens within a particular period
a simple device for timing the human heartbeat
Synonyms and related words
Using clocks and watches
clock in
clock off
go back

time

verb transitive

US /taɪm/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	time
he/she/it	times
present participle	timing
past tense	timed
past participle	timed

1
to use a clock to measure something, for example how long something lasts or how often something happens within a particular period
a simple device for timing the human heartbeat
Synonyms and related words
Using clocks and watches
clock in
clock off
go back
2
to hit a ball well or badly in a sport because of the exact moment when you hit it
beautifully/perfectly timed:
Murray’s perfectly timed swing sent the ball over the fence.
Synonyms and related words
To kick or hit a ball in a game or sport
strike at
kick
play
3
to arrange something so that it happens at a particular time
The exhibit has been timed to coincide with the publication of her new book.
Synonyms and related words
To choose, or to change the timing of something
fix
time
schedule
1. 3a
  to do something by chance at a particular moment
  You timed that well: we’re just about to have something to eat.
  Synonyms and related words
  Chance events and happening by chance
  accident
  coincidence
  fluke

time ​‌‌‌

call time on something

take the time (to do something)

not give someone the time of day

time’s up

time well spent

give it/something time

time ​‌‌‌

call time on something

take the time (to do something)

not give someone the time of day

time’s up

time well spent

give it/something time

time ​‌‌

time ​‌‌

time

time

time

time