sometime
SUHM-tym
Sometime (adverb) means At an unspecified point in the past or future. Example: “I read that book sometime last year, but I have forgotten the ending.”
adverb
1
At an unspecified point in the past or future.
"This will certainly happen sometime in the future."
"I'll see you at the pub sometime this evening."
"I read that book sometime last year, but I have forgotten the ending."
"We should visit the coast sometime before the summer ends."
"Let's meet up sometime next week."
"It happened sometime yesterday."
adjective
1
Former; having held a position at an earlier time.
"The sometime mayor now spends his days gardening and writing his memoirs."
"She gave a talk with her sometime colleague from the old office."
"He is a sometime professor of history at the university."
How to use sometime
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAt an unspecified time, or (as an adjective) "former".
Common mistake
"Sometime" (one word) means "at some point", while "some time" (two words) means "a period of time", as in "I need some time to think".
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Adjective
- some-time
- Adverb
- some time
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I read that book _____ last year, but I have forgotten the ending.
Etymology
From Middle English som time, "some time".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
at this point in time
Related words
Rhymes for sometime
See all rhymes for sometime →Frequently asked questions
What does “sometime” mean?
The word “sometime” means at an unspecified point in the past or future. In plain terms, at an unspecified time, or (as an adjective) "former".
How do you pronounce “sometime”?
“Sometime” is pronounced SUHM-tym (/ˈsʌmˌtaɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “sometime” in a sentence?
Here is “sometime” used in a sentence: “Let's meet up sometime next week.”
What is another word for “sometime”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sometime” include at some time, other, somewhen, in the past, somewhere along the line and drekly.
What is the opposite of “sometime”?
The opposite of “sometime” — its antonyms — is at this point in time.
What part of speech is “sometime”?
Depending on how it is used, “sometime” can be an adverb and an adjective.
Where does the word “sometime” come from?
The word “sometime” comes from Middle English. From Middle English som time, "some time".
Is “sometime” a common word?
“Sometime” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "sometime" and "sometimes"?
"Sometime" means at an unspecified point in the past or future, as in let's meet sometime next week. "Sometimes" means occasionally or now and then, as in she sometimes walks to work.
What is the difference between "sometime" and "some time"?
Written as one word, "sometime" means at an unspecified point, or as an adjective, former. Written as two words, "some time" means a period or amount of time, as in this will take some time.
Can "sometime" mean "former"?
Yes. As an adjective, "sometime" means former or having held a position at an earlier time, as in the sometime chairman of the board. This use is fairly formal.
Is "sometime" formal?
The adverb "sometime," meaning at an unspecified point, is neutral and common in everyday speech. The adjective sense meaning "former" is quite formal and appears mainly in written or ceremonial contexts.
