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Từ điển Oxford Learners Wordfinder Dictionary
time
1 periods of time
2 the passing of time
3 points in time
4 how often sth happens
5 happening at the same time
6 organizing and using time
1 periods of time
- an amount of time: time (noun U/C)
They allowed her some extra time to finish. ◎ During that time he organized many different events. ◎ The weather was hotter today than at any time in the last ten years. ◎ a long/short time ago
- the time now: the present
- the time before the present: the past
- the time that will come after the present: the future
- a form of a verb which shows whether sth happens in the past, present or future: tense
※ more on the present, past and future PRESENT, PAST, FUTURE
- more on tenses GRAMMAR
- a length of time: period
The English language has developed over a long period of time. ◎ a further period of a week ◎ There have been some bad periods in my life.
- a period in the development of sth: phase, stage
Just ignore him, he's going through a difficult phase. ◎ University is the final stage of the education system.
- a short period of time: spell
a short spell of rain ◎ He had a spell in politics.
- the whole of a period of time: all ※¦ (with singular noun), the whole (of) ※¦ (with singular noun)
I've spent all week trying to finish my work. ◎ I think about it all day long. ◎ the whole day/the whole of the day
- a period of time in history that is special for some reason: age, era
The Bronze Age ◎ the post-war era
※ periods of time in history HISTORY
- a period of time between two events: interval
There will be an interval between Act 2 and Act 3.
- a period of time when no activity takes place: gap
There was a gap of three years between my first visit to France and my second.
- in the time between two things happening: in the meantime, meanwhile
We can't discuss this until he arrives. In the meantime, I suggest we get on with something else.
※ hours, days, years, etc
- a period of sixty minutes: hour
The film lasts three hours. ◎ a two-hour drive
- happening or done every hour: hourly (adjective, adverb)
There's an hourly bus service to the town centre. ◎ The label on the bottle says you should take it hourly.
- a period of thirty minutes: half-hour, half an hour
The bus goes every half-hour. ◎ a half-hour lecture ◎ I'll be back in half an hour.
- a period of fifteen minutes: quarter of an hour
I'll be there in about three quarters of an hour (= 45 minutes).
It took me an hour and a quarter to get home last night.
- one of the sixty parts which make an hour: minute
She will be here in about ten minutes. ◎ at five minutes past three
- one of the sixty parts which make a minute: second
Twenty seconds to go! ◎ In 1991 Carl Lewis set a world record of 9.86 seconds for the 100 m sprint.| this period of time ※¦ | is a ※¦ | | 24 hours | day | | 7 days | week | | about 4 weeks | month | | 12 months | year | | 10 years | decade | | 100 years | century |
※ more on days, weeks, months and years DAY, WEEK, YEAR
2 the passing of time
- the passing of minutes, hours, days, etc: time (noun U)
As time passed, we could see changes in her appearance. ◎ Only time will tell (= we'll have to wait and see what happens).
It's time we made some changes around here.
- (used about time) to move forward: pass, go* by, (formal) elapse
Five months have passed, and I still haven't heard from them. ◎ Time is going by very quickly.
- as time passes: day by day
Things gradually improved day by day.
- often during a period of time: day after day, day in day out, year after year, etc
I go to work day in day out and I never seem to have anything to show for it.
- to need or require a certain amount of time: take* ※¦
How long does it take to get there? ◎ It takes five hours by road. ◎ I don't know what she's doing - she's taking ages.
- to use up time: take* up time
I'm sorry to take up your time, but I really need your help.
- to measure how long sb/sth takes: time sb/sth
He timed her as she ran round the track.
- a person or machine that measures time: timer
an egg timer
- needing a lot of time: time-consuming
a time-consuming job
- to seem to last a long time; to be boring: drag (on)
The days and weeks dragged on until finally the term came to an end.
- to seem to pass very quickly: fly* by/past
The two weeks of the holiday flew by.
- (used about a period of time) finished: up
When the time was up, we all had to stop writing and hand in our papers. ◎ Time's up, everybody.
- (used about a period of time) still remaining for sth to happen: to go
Only a week to go until Christmas!
※ duration
- to describe a period of time, you can use from ※¦ to
I had to wait from two o'clock to about half past three. ◎ I lived there from 1990 to 1995.
- to continue for a period of time: last (for) ※¦, go* on (for) ※¦
How long does the film last? ◎ It went on for two hours.
- to express the length of time that sth lasts you say for ※¦
That bell has been ringing for more than an hour! ◎ How long must I wait here for?
- for a period of time, or within a period of time: during ※¦
I was very happy during my stay in Britain. ◎ I stayed at home during the day, and then went out later on.
- for the whole of a period of time, from beginning to end: throughout ※¦
Passengers must stay in their seats throughout the flight.
- continuing over a long period of time: long; opposite: short
a long holiday ◎ a short prison sentence
- the time that sth lasts: (formal) duration
You must stay in your seats for the duration of the performance.
※ more on long or short periods of time LONG/SHORT
- to make sth last longer: extend sth, prolong sth
Stopping smoking can prolong your life.
- strong and able to last a long time: durable
a very durable material
※ continuing situations
- from a point in the past up to the present: since ※¦
I haven't seen her since we went to the States in 1963. ◎ We saw her a few weeks ago, but we haven't seen her since.
- to emphasize the whole of a period of time, from beginning to end, you say ever since ※¦
Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to go to Russia.
- from the beginning: all along
I knew she was lying all along.
- up to the time or the event mentioned: until ※¦, till ※¦, up to ※¦
I waited until the end, then I left. ◎ Let's not go till we absolutely have to. ◎ Up to now, I've been working in London, but I'm moving to Paris very soon.
- (used to talk about sth that started at an earlier time) continuing until now or until the time you are talking about: still; not continuing: no longer, not any longer, not any more
'Have you finished yet?' 'No, I'm still working on it.' ◎ Because of her accident she can no longer enjoy swimming as she used to. ◎ He doesn't live here any more.
3 points in time
- the time of speaking; the present time: now
She's leaving the house right now, and she'll be here in a few minutes. ◎ He now lives in Stockholm.
- not at the time of speaking; at some other time; after sth else: then
I finish my degree in June and I hope I'll be able to get a good job then. ◎ First I'll read it at a normal speed; then I'll read it more slowly.
- a particular length of time before now: ago
We bought this house exactly a year ago. ◎ 'When did you last see her?' 'About a week ago.'
- not long ago: recently; adjective: recent
'Have you been living here long?' 'No, we moved quite recently.' ◎ We have been badly affected by the recent floods. ◎ the recent past
- not long after the present time or the time mentioned: soon, before long, shortly
I soon realized that he was not going to agree.
- not far in time from now: near, close; opposites: distant, remote
in the near future ◎ The day of the wedding was close. ◎ in the distant future ◎ in the distant past ◎ Those days seem very remote now.
※ more on things happening soon SOON
- before the usual or expected time: early (adjective, adverb)
I'll have to get up early tomorrow.
- after the usual or expected time: late (adjective, adverb)
I handed in my essay two days late.
※ more on being early or late EARLY/LATE
- before now, or before the time you are talking about: already; not before now, or not before the time you are talking about: not yet
I've already been to the shops once today; I don't want to go again. ◎ Have you done the washing-up already? That was quick. ◎ 'Have you finished that letter?' 'Not yet.' ◎ I don't expect they will have arrived yet.
※ which day, week, month, year?
- a particular day of the month or the year: date
'What's the date today?' 'It's Wednesday, April 12th.'
※ giving the date DATE
- mentioning a particular day, week, month, year DAY, WEEK, YEAR
Note: the prepositions that are used
- with months and years: in
in January ◎ in 1999
- with days of the week: on
on Wednesday
- with times of the day: at
at midnight ◎ at three o'clock
- with a point of time in the future: in
I'll see you in a minute. ◎ It'll be finished in a few weeks.
- not later than a point of time in the future: by
I was promised a reply by the end of the week.
※ what time of day?
- when in the day sth happens: time
What time does the plane arrive in Madrid? ◎ I've no idea what the time is.
- to be able to say what time it is: tell* the time
I'm teaching the children to tell the time.
- an instrument to tell you what time it is (usually found on the wall of a house or building): clock
- an instrument worn on the wrist, used to tell you what time it is: watch
※ more on clocks and watches CLOCK/WATCH
- to ask sb what the time is, you say What's the time? or What time is it? or Have you got the time? or Do you know the time? or (formal) Can you tell me the time, please?
'Have you got the time?' 'Yes, it's just after half past three.'| YOU SAY TIMES LIKE THIS: | | | 10.00: | ten o'clock | | 10.05: | five past ten, ten o five | | 10.10: | ten past ten, ten ten | | 10.15: | a quarter past ten, ten fifteen | | 10.20: | twenty past ten, ten twenty | | 10.25: | twenty-five past ten, ten twenty-five | | 10.30: | half past ten, ten thirty | | 10.35: | twenty-five to eleven, ten thirty-five | | 10.40: | twenty to eleven, ten forty | | 10.45: | a quarter to eleven, ten forty-five | | 10.50: | ten to eleven, ten fifty | | 10.55: | five to eleven, ten fifty-five | | 10.22: | twenty-two minutes past ten, ten twenty-two | | 10.38: | twenty-two minutes to eleven, ten thirty-eight |
- the middle part of the day; 12 o'clock: midday (noun U)
at midday
- the middle part of the night; 12 o'clock: midnight (noun U)
It was almost midnight.
- between midnight and midday: am; between midday and midnight: pm
The meeting adjourned at three pm.
- at the time when the new hour starts: on the hour
The buses leave every hour, on the hour (= the buses leave at four o'clock, five o'clock, six o'clock etc).
- not later than; no more than: only
It's only six o'clock; I thought it was later.
- a long time before or after: well before/after
The party went on until well after midnight.
- a little more or less than: about, around
'What's the time?' 'It's about five.'
- a little less than: nearly
The time is nearly six o'clock.
- approximately: -ish
'What time shall I come?' 'About sevenish?'
- the time mentioned, neither earlier nor later: exactly, sharp, on the dot
It's exactly six o'clock. ◎ It's six o'clock sharp. ◎ We left the house at six o'clock on the dot.
4 how often sth happens
- a particular time when sth happens: time
How many times have you been to America? ◎ I've been there three times. ◎ This is the first time I've been here.
- a situation or event in which sth happens: occasion
I've met him on several occasions.
- happening many times: often, frequently; adjective: frequent
How often do you come here? ◎ I met her frequently when she was a student. ◎ frequent interruptions
- how often sth happens: frequency (noun U)
happening with increasing frequency
※ more on how often things happen HOW OFTEN
5 happening at the same time
- at the same time: while ※¦, at the same time (as ※¦), meanwhile
The kids were watching television while their parents were doing the washing-up. ◎ I was trying to make the dinner at the same time as answering the phone. ◎ I was waiting for her outside the restaurant. Meanwhile, she was waiting for me on the other side of town.
- during the same time that sb was doing sth or that sth was happening: all the time
I looked everywhere for my keys, and all the time they were in my bag.
- to happen at the same time as sth else: coincide (with sth), clash with sth
The meeting coincided with my appointment at the doctor's.
- happening at exactly the same time: simultaneous (adverb simultaneously)
The two things happened simultaneously.
※ not happening at the same time
- happening one after the other: consecutive (adverb consecutively)
I've been away for three consecutive weekends.
- the order in which things happen: sequence
The police were trying to work out the exact sequence of events.
- arranged in the order in which the events happened: chronological
in chronological order
※ one thing happening before/after another BEFORE/AFTER
6 organizing and using time
- to arrange a time when sth will be done: fix a time, set* a time
Let's fix a time to meet. ◎ We need to set a date for the next committee meeting.
- to allow sb a period of time for sth: give* sb sth
I'll give you five days to finish the job.
- to give time for sth: spare time
Can you spare a bit of time to see her?
- to give time for sth when you are very busy: find* time, make* time
I'll try and find a few minutes tomorrow to discuss it with you. ◎ She said if I hadn't got time to do it, I'd have to make time.
- a time during which sth must be done: time limit
Hurry up! There's a time limit of three hours.
- a time or date before which sth must be done: deadline
Friday's the deadline for finishing this piece of work. ◎ to meet a deadline (= to do sth within a certain time)
- to succeed in doing a task in time: meet*/make* a deadline
I can't come out - I've got a deadline to meet.
- to fail to complete a task in time: miss a deadline
- to choose or plan the time that sth happens: time sth
They timed the wedding very carefully, so that everything would run smoothly. ◎ If you time it right, you'll arrive just in time for the party.
- your skill at choosing or arranging when sth will happen: timing
The timing of each event was perfect. ◎ His timing wasn't very good - his talk went on for much longer than it should have.
- a list that shows the times when sth happens: timetable (AmE schedule)
a school timetable ◎ a train timetable
- a plan of things that will happen or of things that need to be done: schedule, programme (AmE program); verbs: schedule sth, programme sth
a television schedule ◎ a programme of the day's events ◎ The concert is scheduled for nine o'clock tonight. ◎ We've programmed your lecture for nine o'clock on the first evening.
- if you need to do sth quickly, you are in a hurry, pushed for time
Can you be quick please - I'm in a hurry. ◎ Can you hurry up a bit, I'm a bit pushed for time.
- if you do not have to hurry, you can take* your time
Take your time, there's no rush.
- to use your time for a particular purpose: spend* time
I spent my holiday lying on the beach. ◎ He spends most of his time in the library.
- to find things to do so that the time passes quickly: pass the time
He's a bit bored in hospital - can you take something for him to pass the time?
- to avoid spending time doing sth that is not necessary: save time; noun: saving
Going to work by train instead of by car saves me half an hour. ◎ a considerable saving of time
- to spend time doing sth that is not necessary: waste time; noun: waste
I wasted the whole day, waiting for them at the airport. ◎ What a dreadful waste of time that was!
- time that is not used for work is spare, free
What do you do in your spare time? ◎ Have you got a spare half-hour to help me with my project? ◎ I don't have much free time these days.
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