time
noun
taɪm 
taɪm minutes/hours/years, etc.
1 [uncountable] what is measured in minutes, hours, days, etcThe changing seasons mark the passing of time.A visit to the museum will take you back in time to the 1930s.time and spaceAs time went by we saw less and less of each other.Perceptions change over time (= as time passes).They say that time heals all wounds. see also Father Time2 [uncountable] the time shown on a clock in minutes and hoursWhat time is it/What's the time?Do you have the time? (British English) What time do you make it? (North American English) What time do you have?The time is now half past ten. (British English) Can she tell the time yet (= say what time it is by looking at a clock)? (North American English) Can she tell time yet?My watch keeps perfect time (= always shows the correct time).Look at the time! We'll be late.This time tomorrow I'll be in Canada.3 [uncountable] the time measured in a particular part of the worldGreenwich Mean Time6 o'clock local time see also standard time, summer time4 [uncountable, countable] the time when something happens or when something should happenWhat time do you finish work?The baby loves bath time.time (to do something) I think it's time to go to bed.This is hardly the time to discuss politics.time (for something) It's time for lunch.time (that)… It's time the kids were in bed.By the time you get there the meeting will be over.A computer screen shows arrival and departure times.The train arrived right on time (= at exactly the correct time).You'll feel differently about it when the time comes (= when it happens).Have I called at a bad time? Shall I call back later?The promotion came at just the right time for me.We stock six different beers at any one time. see also any time, closing time, drive time, night-time, opening timeperiod
5 [uncountable] time (to do something) an amount of time; the amount of time available to work, rest, etcAllow plenty of time to get to the airport.I can probably make the time to see them.It takes time to make changes in the law.We have no time to lose (= we must hurry).We got to the airport with time to spare.He spends most of his time working.She doesn't have much free/spare time.Sorry, I can't spare the time.What a waste of time!I didn't finish the test—I ran out of time.Time's up—have you worked out the answer yet?He never takes any time off (= time spent not working).Jane's worked here for some time (= for a fairly long period of time).Do it now please—not in three hours' time (= three hours from now).The journey time is two hours.I don't want to take up too much of your precious time.What's the hurry? We have all the time in the world. see also response time6 a time [singular] a period of time, either long or short, during which you do something or something happensHis injuries will take a long time to heal.Did you have to wait a long time to see the doctor?I lived in Egypt for a time.The early morning is the best time of day.Her parents died a long time ago.At one time (= at a period of time in the past) Emily was my best friend.Mr Curtis was the manager in my time (= when I was working there).7 [uncountable, plural] a period of history connected with particular events or experiences in people's livesThe movie is set at the time of the Russian Revolution.in ancient timesthe violent times we live in (= the present period of history)the politician who promised ‘peace in our time’Times are hard for the unemployed.Times have changed since Grandma was young. see also old-timeoccasion/event
8 [countable] an occasion when you do something or when something happensEvery time I hear that song I feel happy.It doesn't matter if you don't win every time (= every time you play).Next time you're here let's have lunch together.He failed his driving test three times.He's determined to pass this time.When was the last time you saw her?How many times (= how often) do I have to tell you not to do that? (especially North American English) I remember one time (= once) we had to abandon our car in the snow. (formal) At no time did I give my consent to the plan.Help
To talk about the first or the last time you do something, use the first/last time (that) I…: This is the first time (that) I've been to London.This is the first time for me to go to London. That was the last time (that) I saw her.9 [countable] an event or occasion that you experience in a particular wayDid you have a good time in Spain?I had an awful time in the hospital.Mike and I shared some really good times.for race
10 [countable, uncountable] how long somebody takes to run a race or complete an eventThe winner's time was 11.6 seconds.She completed the 500 metres in record time (= faster than any previous runner).one of the fastest times everin music
11 [uncountable] the number of beats in a bar/measure of musicThis piece is in four-four time.a slow waltz timeThe conductor beat time with a baton.12 [uncountable] the correct speed and rhythm of a piece of musicTry and dance in time to the music (= with the same speed and rhythm).Clap your hands to keep time (= sing or move with the correct speed and rhythm).to play in/out of time (= follow/not follow the correct speed and rhythm)He always plays in perfect time. see also big time, small-timeIdioms
(and) about time (too)
|(and) not before time
used to say that something should have happened before now
against time
if you do something against time, you do it as fast as you can because you do not have much time
They're working against time to try and get people out of the rubble alive.ahead of/behind time
earlier/later than was expected
We finished 15 minutes ahead of time.ahead of your time
having advanced or new ideas that other people use or copy later
all the time
|the whole time
1 during the whole of a particular period of timeThe letter was in my pocket all the time (= while I was looking for it).2 very often; repeatedlyShe leaves the lights on all the time.at all times
always
Our representatives are ready to help you at all times.at the best of times
even when the circumstances are very good
He's never very happy at the best of times—he'll be much worse now!at the same time
1 at one time; togetherShe was laughing and crying at the same time.2 used to introduce a contrasting fact, etc. that must be consideredYou have to be firm, but at the same time you should try and be sympathetic.at a time
separately or in groups of two, three, etc. on each occasion
We had to go and see the principal one at a time.She ran up the stairs two at a time.at my, your, his, etc. time of life
at the age you are (especially when you are not young)
Eyesight doesn't get any better at my time of life.at times
sometimes
He can be really bad-tempered at times.The rain will become heavy at times in the afternoon.before my, your, his, etc. time
1 happening before you were born or can remember or before you lived, worked, etc. somewhere‘Were you taught by Professor Pascal?’ ‘No, he was before my time.’2 before the usual time in somebody's life when something happensSynonym
prematurelyShe got old before her time.behind the times
old-fashioned in your ideas, methods, etc.
do time
(informal) to spend time in prisonevery time
whenever there is a choice
I don't really like cities—give me the countryside every time.for the time being
for a short period of time but not permanently
You can leave your suitcase here for the time being.from time to time
occasionally but not regularly
She has to work at weekends from time to time.have a lot of time for somebody/something
(informal, especially British English) to like and be interested in somebody/somethingI've always had a lot of time for Mary.have no time for somebody/something
|not have much time for somebody/something
(informal) to dislike somebody/somethingI have no time for lazy people like Steve.have the time of your life
(informal) to enjoy yourself very muchhave time on your hands
|have time to kill
(informal) to have nothing to do or not be busyin good time
early; with enough time so that you are not in a hurry
(all) in good time
(informal) used to say that something will be done or will happen at the appropriate time and not beforeBe patient, Emily! All in good time.in (less than/next to) no time
so soon or so quickly that it is surprising
The kids will be leaving home in no time.in time
after a period of time when a situation has changed
Synonym
eventuallyThey learned to accept their stepmother in time.in time (for something/to do something)
not late; with enough time to be able to do something
Will we be in time for the six o'clock train?The ambulance got there just in time (= to save somebody's life).in your own (good) time
(informal) when you are ready and not soonerDon't hassle him! He'll do it in his own good time.in your own time
in your free time and not when you usually work or study
it's about/high time
(informal) used to say that you think somebody should do something soonIt's about time you cleaned your room!keep up/move with the times
to change and develop your ideas, way of working, etc. so that you do what is modern and what is expected
make good, etc. time
to complete a journey quickly
We made excellent time and arrived in Spain in two days.many a time
|many's the time (that)…
(old-fashioned) many times; frequentlynine times out of ten
|ninety-nine times out of a hundred
used to say that something is usually true or almost always happens
Nine times out of ten she gives the right answer.(and) not before time
= (and) about time (too)not give somebody the time of day
to refuse to speak to somebody because you do not like or respect them
Since the success of her novel, people shake her hand who once wouldn't have given her the time of day.(there is) no time like the present
(saying) now is the best time to do something, not in the futuretake your time (over something)
|take your time to do something/doing something
1 to use as much time as you need without hurryingThere's no rush—take your time.2 used to say you think somebody is late or is too slow in doing somethingYou certainly took your time getting here!take time out
to spend some time away from your usual work or activity in order to rest or do something else instead
She is taking time out from her music career for a year.time after time
|time and (time) again
often; on many or all occasions
You will get a perfect result time after time if you follow these instructions.time and a half
one and a half times the usual rate of pay
We get time and a half on Sundays. see also double timetime flies
(saying) time seems to pass very quicklyHow time flies! I've got to go now.Time has flown since the holiday began. This phrase is a translation of the Latin ‘tempus fugit’.time is money
(saying) time is valuable, and should not be wastedtime is on your side
used to say that somebody can wait for something to happen or can wait before doing something
(the) next, first, second, etc. time round
on the next, first, etc. occasion that the same thing happens
He repeated none of the errors he'd made first time round.This time round it was not so easy.time was (when)…
(old-fashioned) used to say that something used to happen in the pastTime was when you could go for a walk in the country and not see another person for miles.time (alone) will tell
|only time will tell
(saying) used to say that you will have to wait for some time to find out the result of a situationOnly time will tell if the treatment has been successful.the whole time
= all the time
Usage note: restbreak respite time out breathing spaceThese are all words for a short period of time spent relaxing.rest a period of relaxing, sleeping or doing nothing after a period of activity: We stopped for a well-earned rest.break a short period of time when you stop what you are doing and rest or eat: Let's take a break. In British English break is a period of time between lessons at school. The North American English word is recess.respite a short break from something difficult or unpleasant: The drug brought a brief respite from the pain.time out (informal, especially North American English) time for resting or relaxing away from your usual work or studies: Take time out to relax by the pool.breathing space a short rest in the middle of a period of mental or physical effort: This delay gives the party a breathing space in which to sort out its policies.(a) rest/break/respite/time out from somethingto have/take (a) rest/break/time outto give somebody (a) rest/break/respite/breathing space