time frame

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The period of time within which something is planned to happen or must be finished.

   Grammar: Usually singular with a: a tight time frame.

   Patterns

   • within a time frame
   • in a time frame of something

   The team has a tight time frame to finish the report.

   What time frame did the contractor give you?

   We completed the repairs within the agreed time frame.

2. 2nouncountable

   A particular period in history or in a story that is the subject of attention.

   Grammar: Used when discussing events in a certain era.

   Patterns

   • the time frame of something

   The novel covers a time frame of about twenty years.

   Historians study the time frame between the two wars.

   The study considered a ten-year time frame.

Word forms

Common combinations

tight time frame

A tight time frame left no room for error.

within the time frame

The tasks must be done within the time frame.

set a time frame

The manager set a time frame of six weeks.

realistic time frame

Please suggest a realistic time frame.

in a short time frame

They built the bridge in a short time frame.

Synonyms and how they differ

deadline

A deadline is a single point by which work must be done, whereas a time frame is the whole period allowed.

schedule

A schedule lists when each task will happen, which is more detailed than a time frame.

timescale

Timescale is the British word and is almost interchangeable with time frame.

window

Window is more informal and suggests a short opening in which something can be done.

Word family

timeframe noun

the one-word spelling

timeline noun

a sequence of events or planned stages

timetable noun

a schedule of times

timely adjective

happening at a suitable moment

Commonly confused: time frame or deadline?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “time frame”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words