timing
TEYE-mihng
Timing (noun) means the choice of when to do something, especially in relation to its effect. Example: “His timing was perfect — he arrived just as the show began.”
noun
1
The choice of when to do something, especially in relation to its effect.
"His timing was perfect — he arrived just as the show began."
"Good timing matters in comedy, because a joke told too early falls flat."
"The timing of the sale was unlucky, since prices rose the following week."
2
The regulation of pace or rhythm in an activity, such as an engine or a joke.
"The key to telling a good joke is timing."
"Smoking was difficult, I had to have perfect timing, sticking my head as far out the tiny porthole as I could, and timing my puffs to the inhalings and exhalings of the ship."
— Frederick Alan Casemore, Skylarks: For Myself (2001)
"The engine stalled because the timing of the spark was slightly off."
"The drummer's perfect timing kept the whole band together."
"Good comic timing is what made the routine funny."
"The officials used the latest technology to ensure timing down to the nearest millisecond."
How to use timing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe sense of when to do something, or how well-paced an action or event is.
Common pairings
good timing
bad timing
comic timing
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like timing.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- timings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ was perfect — he arrived just as the show began.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for timing
See all rhymes for timing →Frequently asked questions
What does “timing” mean?
The word “timing” means the choice of when to do something, especially in relation to its effect. In plain terms, the sense of when to do something, or how well-paced an action or event is.
How do you pronounce “timing”?
“Timing” is pronounced TEYE-mihng (/ˈtaɪmɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “timing” in a sentence?
Here is “timing” used in a sentence: “His timing was perfect — he arrived just as the show began.”
What part of speech is “timing”?
“Timing” is a noun.
Is “timing” a common word?
“Timing” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “timing” have?
“Timing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the choice of when to do something, especially in relation to its effect.
What is the difference between "timing" and "time"?
"Time" is the general concept or a specific point or duration, while "timing" is the choice of when to do something in relation to its effect. You might have plenty of time to act, yet still have poor timing if you act at the wrong moment.
What is the difference between "good timing" and "bad timing"?
Both phrases describe the choice of when something happens in relation to its effect. "Good timing" means acting at the most favourable moment, while "bad timing" means acting at an unfortunate or inconvenient one.
How is "timing" used when talking about engines or machinery?
In machinery, "timing" refers to the regulation of the pace or rhythm of moving parts, such as when an engine's valves open and close relative to the pistons. Correct timing keeps the components working in the right sequence.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include timing:
