time
tym
Time (noun) means the ongoing flow of existence in which events happen — what clocks and calendars measure in seconds, hours, days and years. Example: “Time passes quickly when you are enjoying yourself with friends.”
noun
1
The ongoing flow of existence in which events happen — what clocks and calendars measure in seconds, hours, days and years.
"Time passes quickly when you are enjoying yourself with friends."
"Clocks measure time in seconds, minutes and hours."
"Over time, the river wore a deep channel into the rock."
verb
1
To measure how long something takes, or to choose the moment it happens.
"She timed her run with a stopwatch."
"He timed the announcement to avoid the evening news."
"The coach timed each swimmer over a single length of the pool."
intj
1
A call announcing that a pause or break is over, or that closing time has arrived.
""Time!" called the bartender, signalling last orders."
"The referee shouted "Time!" and the players walked off the pitch."
""Time, please, ladies and gentlemen," the landlord called across the busy pub."
How to use time
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo measure duration, or to pick the right moment for something.
Common pairings
time an event
good timing
time it perfectly
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- times
- Past tense
- timed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ passes quickly when you are enjoying yourself with friends.
Etymology
From Old English tima, related to an ancient root meaning "to divide" — time was originally thought of as something divided into portions.
Related words
Rhymes for time
See all rhymes for time →Frequently asked questions
What does “time” mean?
The word “time” means to measure how long something takes, or to choose the moment it happens. In plain terms, to measure duration, or to pick the right moment for something.
How do you pronounce “time”?
“Time” is pronounced tym (/taɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “time” in a sentence?
Here is “time” used in a sentence: “She timed her run with a stopwatch.”
What part of speech is “time”?
Depending on how it is used, “time” can be a verb and an intj.
Where does the word “time” come from?
The word “time” comes from Old English. From Old English tima, related to an ancient root meaning "to divide" — time was originally thought of as something divided into portions.
Is “time” a common word?
“Time” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “time” have?
“Time” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to measure how long something takes, or to choose the moment it happens.
What are the two main meanings of the verb 'time'?
First, to measure duration — 'the referee timed the match.' Second, to schedule or choose the right moment for something — 'she timed her question for after the meeting.' Both senses deal with time, but one records how long something takes, the other picks exactly when it happens.
What is an example of 'time' used as a verb?
'He timed the runners with a stopwatch' shows the measuring sense. 'They timed the launch to coincide with the holidays' shows the scheduling sense. Note that the past tense is 'timed,' and the related noun 'timing' refers to the skill of choosing the right moment.
What is the difference between 'time' and 'clock' as verbs?
Both can mean to measure duration, but 'clock' is more informal and usually records a specific speed or result — 'she clocked a personal best.' 'Time' is broader and also means to plan the moment something happens, a sense that 'clock' does not share.
What does it mean to 'time' something well?
To time something well is to choose the ideal moment for it, so it has the greatest effect. Good timing might mean asking for a favor when someone is relaxed, or launching a product when demand peaks. It reflects judgment about when to act, not how long something lasts.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing time in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Listening to the broadcast at the time, it was clear a Pacquiao fight was in play.
From
Yahoo Sports · Jul 26, 2026
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