year
gb/jˈɪɹ/ us/jˈɪɹ/
A1
English
~ 100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
quantity
1
Twelve-month period
A period of twelve months, usually from January to December.
Usage pattern:
[a number] year(s)
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'year' with 'years old' when talking about age. For example, they may say 'I am 20 year' instead of 'I am 20 years old'.
Synonyms
twelve-month period (Exact literal synonym, more formal and descriptive.)
|
annum (Formal or technical term, used in business or legal contexts.)
Antonyms
month (Shorter unit of time compared to a year.)
Collocations
calendar year
|school year
|fiscal year
|leap year
|year end
Themes
time
|calendar
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She spent a year studying abroad in France.
- The company reported its profits for the last fiscal year.
- This year has been especially challenging for farmers.
- He plans to travel around the world next year.
- The leap year occurs every four years.
Learner examples
- I was born last year.
- This year is very busy.
- We will go on holiday next year.
- A leap year has 366 days.
Noun
A2
quantity
2
Specific twelve-month span
A set of twelve months starting from any date you choose, such as a school year or business year.
Usage pattern:
[type of] year
Synonyms
term (In education, can refer to part of a school year rather than the whole.)
Collocations
academic year
|tax year
|financial year
Themes
time
|calendar
|business
|education
Examples
- The academic year begins in September and ends in June.
- Our financial year runs from April to March.
- The project will take about a year to complete.
Learner examples
- The school year starts in September.
- The business year ends in March.
- We will finish the work in one year.
Noun
B1
quantity
3
Earth’s orbit around Sun
The time it takes Earth to go around the Sun once, about 365 days.
Synonyms
solar year (Technical astronomical term for Earth's orbit duration.)
Collocations
solar year
|sidereal year
Themes
astronomy
|science
|time
Examples
- A solar year is about 365.25 days long.
- Ancient civilizations tracked the passage of the year by observing the Sun's position.
- The sidereal year is slightly longer than the tropical year.
Learner examples
- The Earth takes one year to go around the Sun.
- A year has about 365 days.
- The solar year is important for calendars.
Grammar
Dictionary form
year
IPA
GB/jˈɪɹ/
US/jˈɪɹ/
Syllables & stress
year (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (year)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: year
- Plural: years
Word family
Forms
years
noun
Core family
yearly
adjective B1
Advanced or less common
year-round
adjective B2
year-long
adjective B2
Expressions
all year round
1/ˈɔl jˈɪɹ ɹˈaʊnd/
fixed phrase
Throughout the whole year
For the whole year, without stopping for any season.
Examples
- This shop is open all year round.
- We get fresh vegetables all year round here.
happy new year
1/hˈæpi njˈu jˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
Greeting at start of year
A friendly thing to say to someone at the start of a new calendar year to wish them happiness.
Examples
- Happy New Year! I hope it’s a great one for you.
- She called her parents to say Happy New Year.
in years
1/ˈɪn jˈɪɹz/
fixed phrase
For many past years until now
Used to talk about something that has not happened for a long time, measured in years.
Examples
- I haven’t seen him in years.
- This is the best meal I’ve had in years.
new year
1/njˈu jˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
Start of calendar year
The time when one calendar year ends and another begins, usually celebrated on January 1.
Examples
- We always have a big party for New Year.
- Many people make resolutions at New Year.
year after year
1/jˈɪɹ ˈæftɚ jˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
Every single year repeatedly
Happening every single year in the same way.
Examples
- Year after year, they win the championship.
- Year after year, she visits her hometown.