time

noun (MINUTES/DAYS/YEARS)

/taɪm/

Definition

A2 [U] the part of existence that is measured in minutes, days, years, etc., or this process considered as a whole: He wants to spend more time with his family. Time passes so quickly when you're enjoying yourself. She grew more and more fascinated by the subject as time went on/by. The curtains have faded over/with time (= as years have gone past). You'll forget her in time (= in the future). Over the course of time (= as years have gone past), holes have formed in the rock. When Paula was ill, I took her some magazines to help her pass the time. If you'd taken more time with/over (= spent more time doing) this essay, you could have done it much better. It takes a long time (= many hours are needed) to get from London to Sydney. We'd save time on our journey (= it would be quicker) if we went by train. I only worked there for a short period of time. The kitchen clock is gaining/losing time (= is going fast/slow). My watch has never kept very good time (= been correct).Relating to time all the time A2 continuously: I wish you'd stop criticizing me all the time.Always and never in no time C1 (also in next to no time) › very quickly or very soon: The children ate their dinner in no time. We'll be home in next to no time.Hurrying and doing things quicklyBusy and active no time to lose › If you say there is or that you have no time to lose, it means that you must do quickly whatever it is that you want to do: Come on, there's no time to lose, we must get home before John finds out.Immediately for all time literary › always: I will love you for all time.Lasting for a long time of all time › that has ever lived or existed: She's been called the greatest singer of all time.Always and never

(Definition of time noun (MINUTES/DAYS/YEARS) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)