time
noun/taɪm/ 
minutes/hours/years, etc.
1 [uncountable] what is measured in minutes, hours, days, etc.The 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?Do you have the time?What time do you have?The time is now ten-thirty.Can she tell time yet (= say what time it is by looking at a clock)?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 daylight saving time, standard 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? Should I call back later?The promotion came at just the right time for me.We carry six different beers at any one time. see also anytime, closing time, drive time, nighttimeperiod
5 [uncountable] time (to do something) an amount of time; the amount of time available to work, rest, etc.Allow 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 figured 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?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 Chicago.This is the first time for me to go to Chicago. 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 someone takes to run a race or complete an eventThe winner's time was 11.6 seconds.She completed the 500 meters 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 play 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-timeabout time
used to say that something should have happened before now
about timeagainst 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.against timeahead of/behind time
earlier/later than was expected
We finished 15 minutes ahead of time.ahead of timeahead behind timeahead of your time
having advanced or new ideas that other people use or copy later
ahead of your timeall 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.all the timeat all times
always
Our representatives are ready to help you at all times.at all timesat 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 best of timesat 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 the same timeat 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 a timeat 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 my, your, his, etc. time of lifeat times
sometimes
He can be really bad-tempered at times.The rain will become heavy at times in the afternoon.at timesbeat time (to something)
to mark or follow the rhythm of music, by waving a stick, tapping your foot, etc.
She beat time with her fingers.beat timebeat time tobefore 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 someone's life when something happens synonym prematurelyShe got old before her time.before my, your, his, etc. timebehind the times
old-fashioned in your ideas, methods, etc.
behind the timesbe (living) on borrowed time
1 to still be alive after the time when you were expected to dieHe's been living on borrowed time ever since his last heart attack.2 to be doing something that other people are likely to stop you from doing soonAccording to the latest opinion polls, the government is living on borrowed time.be on borrowed timebe living on borrowed timebetter luck next time
(informal) used to encourage someone who has not been successful at somethingbetter luck next timebide your time
to wait for the right time to do something
He decided to bide his time until he got an opportunity to talk to her alone.bide your timebuy time
to do something in order to delay an event, a decision, etc.
The negotiators kept the gunman talking to buy time for the hostages.buy timea devil of a time
(old-fashioned) a very difficult or unpleasant timeI've had a devil of a time finding you.a devil of a timedo time
(informal) to spend time in prisondo timeevery time
whenever there is a choice
I don't really like cities—give me the countryside every time.every timefor old times' sake
if you do something for old times' sake, you do it because it is connected with something good that happened to you in the past
for old times' sakefor the time being
for a short period of time but not permanently
You can leave your suitcase here for the time being.for the time beingfrom that day/time forth
(literary) beginning on that day; from that timeFrom that day forth she gave me endless friendship and encouragement.from that day forthfrom that time forthfrom time to time
occasionally but not regularly
She has to work on weekends from time to time.from time to timegain time
to delay something so that you can have more time to make a decision, deal with a problem, etc.
gain timegive someone a hard time
to deliberately make a situation difficult and unpleasant for someone
They really gave me a hard time at the interview.give a hard timegive me something/someone (any day/time)
(informal) used to say that you prefer a particular thing or person to the one that has just been mentionedWe don't go out much. Give me a quiet night in front of the TV any day!give megive me any daygive megive me any timehave an easy time (of it)
to have no difficulties or problems
He's had an easy time of it since he married Lucy.have an easy timehave an easy time of ithave a high old time
(old-fashioned, informal) to enjoy yourself very muchhave a high old timehave no time for someone/something
|not have much time for someone/something
(informal) to dislike someone or somethingI have no time for lazy people like Steve.have no time forhave the time of your life
(informal) to enjoy yourself very muchhave the time of your lifehave time on your hands
|have time to kill
(informal) to have nothing to do or not be busyhave time on your handsin the course of time
when enough time has passed
synonym eventuallyIt is possible that in the course of time a cure for cancer will be found.in the course of timein the fullness of time
when the time is appropriate, usually after a long period
I have no doubt that she'll tell us in the fullness of time.in the fullness of timein good time
early; with enough time so that you are not in a hurry
in good time(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 good timeall in good timein the nick of time
(informal) at the very last moment; just in time before something bad happensThey escaped from the smoke-filled house just in the nick of time.in the nick of timein (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 no timein less than to no timein no timein less next to no timein your own sweet time/way
how and when you want to, even though this might annoy other people
He always does the work, but in his own sweet time.in your own sweet timein your own sweet wayin 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 timein your own good timein time
after a period of time when a situation has changed
synonym eventuallyThey learned to accept their stepmother in time.in timein 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 someone's life).in timein time for doin timein time for to doit's about/high time
(informal) used to say that you think someone should do something soonIt's time you cleaned your room!it's about timeit's high timeit's just/only a matter of time (before…)
used to say that something will definitely happen, although you are not sure when
It's only a matter of time before they bring out their own version of the software.it's just a matter of timeit's just a matter of time beforeit's only a matter of timeit's only a matter of time beforekeep 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
keep up with the timeskeep move with the timeskill time
|kill an hour, a couple of hours, etc.
to spend time doing something that is not important while you are waiting for something else to happen
We killed time playing cards.kill timelong time no see
(informal) used to say hello to someone you have not seen for a long timelong time no seemake good, etc. time
to complete a journey quickly
We made excellent time and arrived in Spain in two days.make good, etc. timemake up for lost time
to do something quickly or very often because you wish you had started doing it sooner
I'll have to work hard now to make up for lost time.make up for lost timemany a time
|many's the time (that)…
(old-fashioned) many times; frequentlymany a timemark time
1 to pass the time while you wait for something more interestingI'm just marking time in this job—I'm hoping to get into journalism.2 (of soldiers) to make marching movements without moving forwardmark timemove with the times
to change the way you think and behave according to changes in society
Many complained that the Heritage Association had failed to move with the times.move with the times(the) next, first, second, etc. time around
on the next, first, etc. occasion that the same thing happens
He repeated none of the errors he'd made first time around.This time around it was not so easy.next, first, second, etc. time aroundthe next, first, second, etc. time aroundnine 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.nine times out of tennot give someone the time of day
to refuse to speak to someone 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.not give the time of day(there is) no time like the present
(saying) now is the best time to do something, not in the futureno time like the presentthere is no time like the presentof all time
that has ever existed
Many rated him the best singer of all time. see also all-timeof all timeonce upon a time
used, especially at the beginning of stories, to mean “a long time in the past”
Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess.once upon a timeon your own time
in your free time and not when you usually work or study
on your own timepass the time of day (with someone)
to say hello to someone and have a short conversation with them
pass the time of daypass the time of day witha race against time/the clock
a situation in which you have to do something or finish something very fast before it is too late
Getting food to the starving refugees is now a race against time.a race against time clocka race against the clocka sign of the times
something that you feel shows what things are like now, especially how bad they are
The growing number of people who own guns is an alarming sign of the times.a sign of the timesa stitch in time (saves nine)
(saying) it is better to deal with something immediately because if you wait it may become worse or more difficult and cause extra worka stitch in timea stitch in time saves ninetake it/things one day at a time
(informal) to not think about what will happen in the futureI don't know if he'll get better. We're just taking it one day at a time.take it one day at a timetake things one day at a timetake your time
|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 someone is late or is too slow in doing somethingYou certainly took your time getting here!take your timetake 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.take time outthere's a first time for everything
(saying, humorous) the fact that something has not happened before does not mean that it will never happenthere's a first time for everythingthird time is the charm
used when you have failed to do something twice and hope that you will succeed the third time
third time is the charmtime 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 after timetime 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 and a halftime flies
(saying) time seems to pass very quicklyHow time flies! I have to go now.Time has flown since the vacation began. origin This phrase is a translation of the Latin “tempus fugit.”time fliestime is money
(saying) time is valuable, and should not be wastedtime is moneytime is on your side
used to say that someone can wait for something to happen or can wait before doing something
time is on your side