time
/taɪm/ IELTSAcademic
noun
The general idea of when things happen, and how long they take. It can also mean a period or moment in the past, present, or future.
- I don't have enough time today.
- We met at the right time.
- Time passes quickly on holidays.
verb
To choose the best moment for something. It can also mean to measure how long something takes.
- She timed her speech carefully.
- Can you time the race?
- He timed his answer well.
Adinary Nuance
Time is broader than words like hour, minute, or moment. Those words name specific lengths or points, but time can mean the whole system of duration and sequence. In daily English, time is the safest choice when you mean both 'when' and 'how long'.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thời gian
- Spanish
- tiempo
- Chinese
- 时间
- Japanese
- 時間
- Korean
- 시간
Etymology
From Old English tima, meaning 'period' or 'season'. It is related to old Germanic words for time and duration.
Common phrases
time managementtake your timetime offat the same time
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between time and hour?
- Time is the general idea of duration or when something happens. An hour is a fixed unit of sixty minutes.
- Is time countable or uncountable?
- Usually, time is uncountable. We say 'some time' or 'a lot of time', not 'a time' for general meaning.
- How do I use time as a verb?
- Use it when you mean to plan the exact moment, or to measure duration. For example, 'time the test' or 'time your reply'.
- Is time a formal word in academic writing?
- Yes, it is common in academic and business writing. It is also very common in everyday speech.