time

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The continuous, measurable progression of existence, marked by past, present, and future events.

   Grammar: No plural in this abstract sense; do not say times when you mean the general dimension.

   Patterns

   • passage of time
   • over time
   • spend time

   Time seems to move faster during an interesting class.

   Over time, the river changed the shape of the valley.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountable

   A particular point shown by a clock, or the hour and minute of an event.

   Grammar: Often uncountable in what time is it, but countable when naming an exact moment.

   Patterns

   • what time
   • at a certain time
   • tell time

   What time does the museum close on Mondays?

   The train leaves at a time that suits very few passengers.

3. 3nouncountable

   An occasion, experience, or period considered as an event.

   Grammar: Countable; use plural for repeated occasions: good times, several times.

   Patterns

   • a good time
   • many times
   • this time

   We had a great time at the beach despite the wind.

   She has visited that library many times.

4. 4noununcountable

   The amount of time available or needed to do something.

   Grammar: Usually uncountable after need, have, take, or waste.

   Patterns

   • no time
   • take time
   • waste time

   There is no time to argue before the doors close.

   Good bread takes time, patience, and a hot oven.

5. 5noununcountablemusic

   Rhythm, tempo, or measured beat in music, dance, or marching.

   Grammar: Used with keep, in, or out of; not a clock reading.

   Patterns

   • keep time
   • in time with
   • out of time

   The drummer kept time while the singer improvised.

   The children clapped in time with the song.

6. 6nounpluralmathematics

   Used in arithmetic to show multiplication: three times four means three multiplied by four.

   Grammar: Usually plural times after a number; it links amounts rather than naming an occasion.

   Patterns

   • times equals
   • five times six
   • three times as many

   Five times six equals thirty.

   The recipe needs three times as much flour as sugar.

Word forms

Common combinations

what time

What time should we arrive for the interview?

on time

The bus was on time despite the heavy rain.

in time

We ran and reached the platform in time.

spend time

They spend time reading after dinner.

keep time

The metronome helps the pianist keep time.

tell time

My nephew is learning to tell time on an analog clock.

Synonyms and how they differ

period

Period is a stretch with limits, while time is broader and often uncountable.

moment

Moment means a very short point or instant, not the whole flow of events.

era

Era is a long historical stretch; time is general and flexible.

occasion

Occasion matches the countable event sense of time, as in a happy occasion.

Word family

timely adjective

Happening at a suitable or needed moment.

timer noun

A device that measures or controls time.

timeless adjective

Not seeming old or limited by a period.

timing noun

The choice or control of when something happens.

Commonly confused: time or tense? time or thyme?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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