all the time

4. the quantity of minutes, hours, days etc, eg spent in, or available for, a particular activity etc. This won't take much time to do; I enjoyed the time I spent in Paris; At the end of the exam, the supervisor called `Your time is up!'

5. a suitable moment or period. Now is the time to ask him.

6. one of a number occasions. He's been to France four times.

7. a period characterized by a particular quality in a person's life, experience etc. He went through an unhappy time when she died; We had some good times together.

8. the speed at which a piece of music should be played; tempo. in slow time.

verb

1. to measure the time taken by (a happening, event etc) or by (a person, in doing something). He timed the journey.

2. to choose a particular time for. You timed your arrival beautifully!

ˈtimeless adjective

1. not belonging to, or typical of, any particular time. timeless works of art.

2. never-ending. the timeless beauty of Venice.

ˈtimelessly adverb

ˈtimelessness noun

ˈtimely adjective

coming at the right moment. Your arrival was most timely.

ˈtimeliness noun

ˈtimer noun

1. a person who, or a device which, measures the time taken by anything. a three-minute egg-timer.

2. a clock-like device which sets something off or switches something on or off at a given time.

times noun plural

1. a period; an era. We live in difficult times.

2. in mathematics, used to mean multiplied by. Four times two is eight.

ˈtiming noun

1. the measuring of the amount of time taken.

2. the regulating of speech or actions to achieve the best effect. All comedians should have a good sense of timing.

time bomb

a bomb that has been set to explode at a particular time.

ˈtime-consuming adjective

taking too much time to do. a time-consuming process/job.

time limit

a fixed length of time during which something must be done and finished. The examination has a time limit of three hours.

time ˈoff noun

a period of time away from work or studying.

time ˈout noun

(American).

1. (in basketball etc) a short break requested by the coach to give instructions etc.

2. a short period of rest from an activity. to take time out to relax.

ˈtimetable noun

a list of the times of trains, school classes etc.

all in good time

soon enough.

all the time

continually.

at times

occasionally; sometimes.

be behind time

to be late.

for the time being

meanwhile. I am staying at home for the time being.

from time to time

occasionally; sometimes. From time to time he brings me a present.

in good time

early enough; before a set time (for an appointment etc). We arrived in good time for the concert.

in time

1. early enough. He arrived in time for dinner; Are we in time to catch the train?

2. (with with) at the same speed or rhythm. They marched in time with the music.

no time (at all)

a very short time indeed. The journey took no time (at all).

one/two etc at a time

singly, or in groups of two etc. They came into the room three at a time.

on time

at the right time. The train left on time.

save/waste time

to avoid spending time; to spend time unnecessarily. Take my car instead of walking, if you want to save time; We mustn't waste time discussing unimportant matters.

take one's time

to do something as slowly as one wishes.

time and (time) again

again and again; repeatedly. I asked her time and (time) again not to do that.

References in classic literature ?

She made believe that she was trying desperately to escape me, and all the time she managed to keep just beyond reach.

At present he had a little, soft, spiritless thing that whimpered and wept all the time, whether he beat her or not; and her passing was a question of very little time.

View in context

So if they're not at their desks all the time but are still productive, it sets a tone for the people under them."