time
gb/tˈaɪm/ us/tˈaɪm/
A1
English
~ 100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
Ongoing passing of moments
The way we measure how things happen from the past to now and into the future.
Usage pattern:
[something] takes [amount of] time
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'time' with 'weather' because in some languages the same word is used for both.
Synonyms
duration (Refers to the length of time something lasts, not the general concept of time itself.)
Antonyms
timelessness (The absence of measurable time or change.)
Collocations
spend time
|save time
|waste time
|pass time
|measure time
Themes
daily life
|science
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Time seemed to pass slowly during the long meeting.
- We measure time in seconds, minutes, and hours.
- Time moves forward whether we like it or not.
Learner examples
- Time goes fast when you are happy.
- We use a clock to tell the time.
- Time passes every day.
Noun
A1
entity
2
Specific point or period
A certain moment when something happens.
Usage pattern:
at [a/the] time
Synonyms
moment (A very short or specific point in time.)
Antonyms
eternity (An infinite amount of time; no specific moment.)
Collocations
at that time
|right time
|time of year
|time of day
Themes
daily life
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We met for the first time in 2010.
- This is not the right time to talk about it.
- At the time, I didn’t understand what she meant.
Learner examples
- I saw her for the first time yesterday.
- It is time to go home.
- We met at that time last year.
Noun
A2
entity
3
Planned period for activity
The planned part of the day when something will happen.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a time for [activity]
Synonyms
appointment (Refers specifically to a planned meeting or arrangement, often formal.)
Antonyms
unscheduled (Without a planned or fixed time.)
Collocations
appointment time
|meeting time
|game time
Themes
daily life
|work
|time
|daily_life
Examples
- Our meeting time is 3 p.m. on Monday.
- The train arrival time is posted on the board.
- She booked a time for her haircut next week.
Learner examples
- The bus time is 8 o'clock.
- My class time is in the morning.
- We have a set time for lunch.
Noun
A2
entity
4
Occasion or experience period
A special period in life when something happens to you.
Usage pattern:
have a [adjective] time
Synonyms
experience (Refers broadly to something that happens to you, not necessarily tied to a specific period.)
Antonyms
misery (An unpleasant or unhappy experience.)
Collocations
good time
|hard time
|fun time
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|time
|daily_life
Examples
- We had a great time at the party.
- He went through a difficult time after losing his job.
- That was the best time of my life.
Learner examples
- I had a good time with my friends.
- She had a hard time at work.
- It was a fun time for us.
Verb
B1
action
5
Measure how long something takes
To check how long something takes using a clock or timer.
Usage pattern:
to time [something/someone]
Synonyms
clock (Informal term for measuring duration, often in sports contexts.)
Antonyms
guess (To estimate without measuring accurately.)
Collocations
time a race
|time an experiment
Themes
science
|sports
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They timed the runners with a stopwatch.
- I timed how long it took to boil the pasta.
- Can you time my speech for me?
Learner examples
- Please time my run.
- We timed the game.
- He timed how long I spoke.
Grammar
Dictionary form
time
IPA
GB/tˈaɪm/
US/tˈaɪm/
Syllables & stress
time (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (time)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: time
- Plural: time, times
Verb
- Base: time
- 3rd Person Singular: times
- Present Participle: timing
- Past: timed
Word family
Expressions
in time
1/ˈɪn tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
Before it’s too late
Soon enough to be successful or avoid being late.
Examples
- We got to the airport just in time for our flight.
- He finished his project in time to submit it.
run out of time
1/ɹˈʌn ˈaʊt əv tˈaɪm/
idiom
Have no more available duration
To have no more minutes or hours left to finish something.
Examples
- We ran out of time before we could finish the test.
- They ran out of time to complete the project.
take your time
1/tˈeɪk jˈʊɹ tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
Do without hurrying
Do something slowly and carefully without hurry.
Examples
- Take your time reading the contract before you sign it.
- No need to rush—take your time.
kill time
1/kˈɪl tˈaɪm/
idiom
informal
Do something to pass time while waiting
Do something so that time passes while you wait for something else.
Examples
- We went for coffee to kill time before the concert.
- She read a magazine to kill time at the airport.
kill time
2/kˈɪl tˈaɪm/
idiom
informal
Do things while waiting
To do something not important while you wait for another event.
Examples
- We played cards to kill time before dinner.
- He read a magazine to kill some time at the airport.
on time
1/ˈɔn tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
At the scheduled moment
At exactly the planned or right moment; not late.
Examples
- The train arrived on time despite the rain.
- She always pays her bills on time.
on time
2/ˈɔn tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
happening as planned or scheduled
At the planned or correct time; not late.
Examples
- The train arrived on time.
- Please be on time for the meeting.