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Definition time in British English

time noun

noun
/taɪm/

Differences between British and American English: time

British speakers ask what time it is by asking ‘Have you got the time?’ or ‘What time do you make it?’ American speakers ask ‘Do you have the time?’ or ‘What time do you have?’ In the UK, if children can read a clock face you say that they can tell the time. In the US, you say that they can tell time. In British English, you say the time is ‘ten to three’ (2:50) or ‘ten past three’ (3:10). American speakers say ‘ten of three’ or ‘ten after three’.

1

the quantity that you measure using a clock

Example

Time seemed to pass more quickly than before.

Synonyms and related words
0900/1300 etc hours about advanced
1.1

a particular moment during a day, measured on a clock

Example

What time does the film start?

Example

What time is it?

Example

We're teaching them how to tell the time.

Example

She won't be busy at this time of day.

Synonyms and related words
moment second instant
1.2

the time in a particular part of the world

Example

It was six o'clock in the morning, Pacific Standard Time.

Synonyms and related words
0900/1300 etc hours about advanced
2

a particular amount of time

Example

She thought about it for a long time.

Example

She left a short time ago.

Example

There have been improvements in the length of time patients have to wait for treatment.

2.1

a period in history

Example

in the time between the wars

Example

Not since Roman times had a single nation been so powerful.

Example

It was a time of tremendous political uncertainty.

2.2

a period in someone's life

Example

She thoroughly enjoyed her time as manager.

Example

He speaks of his time at university as a happy one.

Example

When the kids were young it was a particularly hard time.

3

an occasion

Example

Do you remember the time we drove the car to Paris?

Example

It was the first time we'd met.

Example

The next time you need financial advice, come and see me.

Synonyms and related words
situation circumstance conditions
3.1

an experience

Example

It's my job to make sure the guests have a good time.

Synonyms and related words
situation circumstance conditions
3.2

a moment

Example

I was sitting by the window at the time.

Example

You can get travel insurance at the time of booking.

Example

No medical evidence was available at the time of writing.

Synonyms and related words
moment second instant
3.3

a particular point when something happens

Example

She left the bar a few minutes before closing time.

Example

They said they would call us when it was time for dinner.

Example

Isn't it time the children went to bed?

Example

It's time we were leaving.

Synonyms and related words
moment second instant
3.4

a particular moment that is suitable or not suitable for something

Example

When would be a good time to discuss it?

Example

I'm afraid now isn't a very convenient time for me.

Example

Now seemed the right time to make a change.

Synonyms and related words
moment second instant
3.5

used for saying how often something happens

Example

Check the temperature two or three times a day.

Synonyms and related words
frequency rate irregularity
4

the time that is available for something

Example

She will have less time to spend with family and friends now.

4.1

the amount of time that you need for a particular activity

Example

Bad weather could add another hour to your journey time.

Example

We have reduced the delivery time from four days to two.

4.2

the amount of time that someone takes to finish a race

Example

She's cut two seconds off her previous best time.

Synonyms and related words
ahead a poor second baton
5

the rhythm of a piece of music, shown as the number of beats in each bar

Example

a piece in 6-8 time

6

stop something

Example

Gary Neville called time on his playing career at the age of 35.

7

to spend the time to do something for another person (usually a good thing)

Example

Receiving letters was having something that came through that was yours and someone had taken the time to write to you.

8

not to give attention to someone

Example

After the way Dave talked about me during the meeting, I wouldn't give him the time of day.

9

used to say that there is no more time available to continue doing something

Example

Alright, everyone, time's up. Please turn in your spelling tests.

10

a good use of someone's time

Example

Time spent planning is time well spent.

Definition time in British English

Related Words

Words related to time:

a thin time (phrase) about time (phrase) access time (noun) against time (phrase) air time (noun) all-time (adjective) another time (phrase) at a time (phrase) at no time (phrase) at one time (phrase) beat time (phrase) bide your time (phrase) big time (adverb) billable time (noun) by the time (phrase) call time (phrase) closing time (noun) connect time (noun) core time (noun) do time (phrase) double time (noun) down time (noun) elapsed time (noun) every time (phrase) extra time (noun) face time (noun) first-time (adjective) for a time (phrase) full-time (adjective) full-time (adverb) full-time (noun) gain time (phrase) good-time girl (noun) half time (noun) hang time (noun) home time (noun) idle time (noun) in time (phrase) injury time (noun) just-in-time (adjective) keep time (phrase) kill time (phrase) lead time (noun) local time (noun) long-time (adjective) lose time (phrase) mark time (phrase) me time (noun) of all time () old-time () on time (phrase) one-time (adjective) opening time (noun) over time (phrase) part-time (adjective) peak time (noun) play for time (phrase) prime time (noun) quality time (noun) question time (noun) real time (noun) response time (noun) running time (noun) short time (noun) small-time (adjective) spare time (noun) standard time (noun) summer time (noun) takt time (noun) the big time (noun) time (noun) time (verb) time after time (phrase) time bomb (noun) time capsule (noun) time card (noun) time clock (noun) time crystal (noun) time flies (phrase) time frame (noun) time lag (noun) time limit (noun) time machine (noun) time off (noun) time out (noun) time sheet (noun) time signal (noun) time switch (noun) time to market (phrase) time trial (noun) time warp (noun) time zone (noun) time-honoured (adjective) time-lapse (adjective) time-poor (adjective) time-saving (adjective) time-server (noun) time-worn (adjective) two-time (verb) with time (phrase)