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time

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noun British English pronunciation: time /taɪm/ 
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singulartime
pluraltimes
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [uncountable] the quantity that you measure using a clock

    Time seemed to pass more quickly than before.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
    1. a.
      [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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
    2. b.
      [uncountable] the time in a particular part of the world

      It was six o'clock in the morning, Pacific Standard Time.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
      See also  local time
  2. 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
    1. a.
      [often plural] a 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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
    2. b.
      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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
  3. 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
    1. a.
      [countable] an experience
      a good/bad time:

      It's my job to make sure the guests have a good time.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
    2. b.
      [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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
    3. c.
      [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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
    4. d.
      [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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
    5. e.
      [countable] used for saying how often something happens

      Check the temperature two or three times a day.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
  4. 4
    [uncountable] the time that is available for something

    She will have less time to spend with family and friends now.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
    1. a.
      [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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time
    2. b.
      [countable] the amount of time that someone takes to finish a race

      She's cut two seconds off her previous best time.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of time

phrases

This is the British English definition of time. View American English definition of time.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for time.

 

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