---

 time¹   Show phonetics
noun
1 HOURS/YEARS ETC [U] Time is what we measure in minutes, hours, days, etc.
He wants to spend more time with his family.
Time seems to pass so slowly when you're unhappy.

2 PARTICULAR POINT [C,U] a particular point in the day or night
What time is it?
What time do you leave for school in the mornings?
Can you tell me the times of the trains to London, please?

3 it's time (for/to do sth) used to say that something should happen or be done now
It's time to get up.

4 in (good) time early or at the right time
We arrived in time to catch the train.

5 on time not early or late
I got to school on time.

6 can tell the time to be able to know what time it is by looking at a clock or watch

7 PERIOD [no plural] a period of minutes, hours, years, etc
I lived in Switzerland for a long time.
It takes time (= takes a long time) to make friends at a new school.

8 have time to have enough time to do something
Do you have time for a cup of coffee?
[+ to do sth] I never have time to eat breakfast.

9 in no time very soon
We'll be home in no time.

10 OCCASION [C] an occasion when something happens
Give me a call the next time you're in Seattle.
I can't remember the last time we went away.
How many times have you been to Germany?

11 at the same time If two things happen at the same time, they happen together.
We arrived at the same time.

12 one, two, six, etc at a time one, two, six, etc on one occasion
He carried the chairs, three at a time.

13 time after time again and again on repeated occasions

14 all the time

a OFTEN very often
"She's been late twice this week." "It happens all the time."

b WHOLE TIME during the whole of a period of time
He was ill all the time we were in Spain.

15 three/eight/nine, etc times used to say how much bigger, better, worse, etc one thing is than another thing
Ben earns three times more than me.

16 in a day's/two months', etc time a week, two months, etc from now
I have to go to the doctor again in a month's time.

17 at times sometimes
At times, I wish I didn't have to go to school.

18 for the time being for now but not permanently
I'm living with my parents for the time being.

19 IN THE PAST [C] a period of time in the past
Did you enjoy your time in Japan?

20 at one time at a time in the past
At one time, you could drive without taking a driving test.

21 before sb's time before someone was born

22 from time to time sometimes, but not often
I still see my ex-boyfriend from time to time.

23 RACE [C] the amount of time that someone takes in a race
a winning time of three minutes

24 IN A PLACE [U] the time in a particular place
The plane arrives at 20.50, New York time.

25 be ahead of your time
to have new ideas a long time before other people think that way

26 behind the times
not fashionable or modern
Dad's a bit behind the times.

27 bide your time
to wait for an opportunity to do something
She was biding her time until she could get her revenge.

28 give sb a hard time
to criticize someone and make them feel guilty about something they have done
Ever since I missed the goal, the other players have been giving me a hard time.

29 have no time for sb/sth
to have no respect for someone or something
I have no time for people who are racist.

30 kill time
to do something while you are waiting for something else
I went shopping to kill some time before my job interview.

31 play for time UK
to try to make something happen more slowly because you want more time or because you do not want it to happen

32 take your time
to do something without hurrying
See also: half-time, local time, in the nick of time, night-time, prime time, a race against time/the clock

---