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time
- definition
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/taɪm/ 
| singular | time |
| plural | times |
- 1[uncountable] the quantity that you measure using a clock
Time seemed to pass more quickly than before.
- a.
- b.See also
local time
- 2[countable] a particular amount of timea 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.
- 3[countable] an occasionthe 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.
- a.
- c.
- d.[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.
phrases
about time
against time
if you do something against time, you have to do it quickly because you are not sure that you will have enough time to do itThey’ll be working against time to get it finished.
a race against time (=a situation in which you do not have enough time to do something):All these high-profile building projects turn into a race 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
do time
informalfind (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
mainly spokenhave all the time in the world
informalhave a lot of time for
informalhave no time for
in no time (at all)
or in next to no time
in your own (good) time
spokenin your own time
in someone’s time
in time
it’s only a matter/question of time
mainly spokenkeep time
kill time
lose time
make good/excellent time
make (the) time
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
or time and again
time and a half
time flies
time is money
time is of the essence
formaltime is on your side
time of the month
informaltime waits for no one
time was (when)
time will tell
spokenwhen the time comes
the whole time
continuously during a periodHe kept complaining the whole time.
with time
with time to spare
- I’ve spent a lot of time on this project.
- We are running out of time.
- You have used up all the time you had left.
- Stop wasting time.
- We’ve managed to buy ourselves some more time.
- I can only afford to spend a few hours on it.
- I have no further time to spare.
- Has this been a valuable/profitable use of your time?
- It isn’t worth waiting any longer.
- She has every kind of time-saving device.
- Her time there was very precious to her.
- Every single minute of his day is accounted for.
This is the American English definition of time. View British English definition of time.
Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.
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