Time
/taɪm/
Definitions
4 meaningsA continuous period, the indefinite progression of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.
/taɪm/
The measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues; duration.
She arrived just in time for the movie.
💡 Simply: Time is like a ruler for how long things happen. It's how we measure days, hours, and seconds. Like when you're playing, time goes by really fast!
👶 For kids: Time is when things happen. Like, the time you wake up in the morning.
More Examples
We need to manage our time effectively.
Time flies when you're having fun.
How It's Used
"The meeting will last for an hour of time."
"Time dilation is a consequence of Einstein's theory of relativity."
A point in time as measured or with respect to an event or action.
/taɪm/
A point or portion of time as specified or available for something.
What time is it?
💡 Simply: Time is also when things *happen*. What *time* is your party? or The *time* to act is now!
👶 For kids: Time can be like a dot on a clock. Like, the time the cookies are ready.
More Examples
The due time for the project is next week.
They finished the race in record time.
How It's Used
"The train arrives at a specific time."
"The athlete broke the world record time."
An instance or occasion when something happens or is done.
/taɪm/
I've visited Paris many times.
💡 Simply: A time can be like a moment, or a chance for something to happen. Like, this is the best *time* to ask.
👶 For kids: Time can also mean 'a time you do something'. Like, this is my drawing time!
More Examples
He needs some time to think about it.
This is a challenging time.
How It's Used
"I've been to that city many times."
"There were times when I was very sad"
To schedule or rate the duration of an action.
/taɪm/
To schedule something to happen at a specific time.
We need to time the experiment carefully.
💡 Simply: To *time* something is to measure how long it takes. Like, you can *time* how long it takes to run around the block!
👶 For kids: When you time something, you are watching a clock to see how long it takes.
More Examples
They timed the race to see who was fastest.
The timer timed the cooking process.
How It's Used
"Please time the deliveries to avoid traffic."
"The coach timed the runner's lap."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
once upon a time
A phrase often used to begin a fairytale or story.
"Once upon a time, there lived a princess in a faraway land."
time flies
Used to express that time passes very quickly.
"Time flies when you're having fun."
in the nick of time
Just at the last possible moment; barely in time to prevent disaster.
"The firefighters arrived in the nick of time to save the building."
take your time
To not rush; do something slowly and carefully.
"Take your time and enjoy the view."
at the same time
Simultaneously; concurrently.
"We can go to the park and go shopping at the same time."
From Old English tīma 'time, period, season', related to Proto-Germanic *tīmō 'time' and Proto-Indo-European *dʰi-m-eh₂- (related to 'to stretch').
The word 'time' has been used in English since Old English, and its meaning has remained relatively consistent, referring to the measurement of duration or the occurrence of events.
Memory tip
Think of the clock ticking – it constantly measures time!
Word Origin
"to measure"