nounuk/taɪm/ us/taɪm/

time noun MINUTES/DAYS/YEARS

A2 [ U ] the part of existence that is measured in minutes, days, years, etc., or this process considered as a whole时间

He wants to spend more time with his family.他想多花时间陪家人。

Time passes so quickly when you're having fun.玩得高兴时，时间过得特别快。

She grew more and more fascinated by the subject as time went on/by.随着时间的推移，她对这门学科越来越着迷。

The curtains have faded over/with time (= as years have gone past).年深日久，窗帘已经褪色了。

You'll forget her in time (= in the future).你迟早会忘记她的。

Over the course of time (= as years have gone past), holes have formed in the rock.随着岁月的流逝，岩石上出现了洞眼。

When Paula was ill, I took her some magazines to help her pass the time.葆拉生病时，我给她带去一些杂志帮她消磨时间。

If you'd taken more time with/over (= spent more time doing) this essay, you could have done it much better.如果你在这篇文章上多花些时间，本可以写得好得多。

It takes a long time (= many hours are needed) to get from London to Sydney.从伦敦到悉尼要花很长时间。

We'd save time on our journey (= it would be quicker) if we went by train.如果我们坐火车去，就会在旅程上节约时间。

I only worked there for a short period of time.我只在那儿工作过很短一段时间。

The kitchen clock is gaining/losing time (= is going fast/slow).厨房的钟快／慢了。

My watch has never kept very good time (= been correct).我的手表从来都不准。

all the time

A2 continuously不停，一直

I wish you'd stop criticizing me all the time.我希望你别再没完没了地批评我了。

in no time also in next to no time

C1 very quickly or very soon很快，马上，立刻

The kids ate their dinner in no time.孩子们很快吃完了饭。

We'll be home in next to no time.我们很快就能回到家。

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.没时间耽搁

Come on, there's no time to lose, we have to get home before John finds out.赶快，没有时间耽搁了，我们必须在约翰发现之前赶到家。

for all time literary

always总是，永远

I will love you for all time.我会永远爱你。

of all time

that has ever lived or existed有史以来

She's been called the greatest singer of all time.她被称为有史以来最伟大的演唱家。

More examples

I'd like some time to consider before I make a decision.

If we cut across the field, it'll save time.

She spends a good deal of her time in Glasgow.

How much time do you allow yourself to get ready in the morning?

A considerable amount of time and effort has gone into this exhibition.

time noun SYSTEM

C1 [ U ] the system of recording hours used in different parts of the world（世界各地不同的）计时体系

Greenwich Mean Time格林尼治标准时间

daylight saving time夏令时

time noun TIME AVAILABLE

an amount of time that you have available to do something（可以用来做某事的）时间

I don't know how you find time to do all the things you do.我不知道你是怎么抽出时间做所有这些事情的。

I thought we'd give her a little more time (= allow her more time) to get the job done.我原以为我们会多给她一点儿时间完成工作。

I'd like to visit all the museums but time is short (= there is little time left).所有的博物馆我都想参观，可时间不够。

have time

B1 If you have time, you have enough time to do something.有时间

We don't have much time before the train leaves.在火车发车之前我们的时间不多了。

Do you have time for a quick drink after work?下班后你有没有时间小酌一杯？

I'd like to learn to sail, but I don't have the time (= I am too busy).我想学驾帆船，可我没时间。

[ + to infinitive ] I don't have time to go to the shops today.我今天没有时间去商店购物。

waste time

A2 to not make good use of the hours, etc. that you have available浪费时间

If you'd done your work instead of wasting time on your phone, you'd be finished by now.如果你当时继续工作而不是浪费时间玩手机，你现在已经完成任务了。

run out of time

B1 to not have enough hours, etc. available to finish something you are trying to do时间不够

She ran out of time and didn't finish the last question.她时间不够，最后一道题没有答完。

be (all) out of time

to not have enough minutes, etc. available没有足够的时间

I'd like to continue this discussion but we're all out of time.我很想继续讨论，但我们的时间不够。

time's up informal

there are no more minutes, hours, etc. available时间到了

OK, everyone, time's up for this week.好了，各位，这星期的就到这里。

time added on

UK also injury time, stoppage time a period of time added to the end of a football match because play was stopped during the game, usually to take care of players who were hurt（足球比赛）伤停补时阶段

His goal in the third minute of time added on sealed the match.他在比赛伤停补时阶段的第三分钟射进一球，决定了比赛的胜利。

time noun PERIOD

A2 [ S or U ] a particular period of time for which something has been happening, or that is needed for something一段时间

After a time, it became clear that nobody was interested in coming to the meetings.过了一阵子，情况变得很明显，没有人想来参加会议。

They stayed with us for a short time.他们跟我们住了很短一段时间。

That was the best restaurant I've been to for/in a long time (= a long period has gone past since I went to such a good restaurant).那是我很长一段时间以来去过的最好的饭店。

It was some time ago that I last heard from her.我最后一次收到她的信已有一段时间了。

We're going on holiday in two weeks' time (= after two weeks have passed).我们过两周要去度假。

During her time (= while she was) in office, the prime minister introduced a large number of changes.首相在执政期间推行了多项改革。

What do you like doing in your spare/free time (= when you are not working)?你业余时间喜欢做什么？

have/take time off

to stop work, in order to do something else请假，抽出时间

I asked my boss if I could have some time off (from work) to go to the dentist.我问老板我能不能请一会儿假去看牙医。

for a time

for a short period一些时候，一小段时间

For a time, we all thought that Sheila and Frank would get married.我们一度都认为希拉和弗兰克会结婚。

for some time

B2 for a fairly long period of time相当长一段时间

I've been doing yoga for some time.我做瑜伽已有一段时间。

for the time being

C1 for a limited period暂时，暂且

Leave the ironing for the time being - I'll do it later.暂且先别烫衣服——我晚些时候来做。

More examples

I cherish the memories of the time we spent together.

Childhood is not always a happy time.

She has a difficult time ahead of her.

Being out of work for a long time is very demoralizing.

Have we got time for a quick drink?

time noun PARTICULAR POINT

A1 [ C or S or U ] a particular point in the day, as expressed in hours and minutes or shown on a clock, or a particular point in time时刻；时间点；钟点

What time is it?现在几点了？

mainly UK "What's the time?" "It's ten o'clock."“现在什么时间？”“10点钟。”

What time do you finishwork?你什么时候完成工作？

Have you got the time? (= Do you know what time it is?)你知道几点了吗？

He's teaching his daughter to tell the time (= to recognize what time it is by looking at a clock).他在教女儿看钟表。

Did you find out the times of the trains to Kiev?你查到去基辅的火车的发车时间了吗？

The estimated time of arrival/departure of this flight is 11.15.这次航班估计在11点15分到达／起飞。

mainly UK Oh dear, is that the (right) time? (= is it really so late?)哦，天哪，有这么晚了吗？

We always have dinner at the same time every day.我们每天总是在同一时间吃晚饭。

I was exhausted by the time (= when) I got home.我到家时已经筋疲力尽了。

When would be a good time for me to call you?我什么时候给你打电话合适？

"What would be the best time of day for us to deliver the table?" "Oh, any time will be OK."“我们什么时候送桌子最合适？”“哦，什么时候都行。”

Today's temperatures will be normal for the time of year (= will be as they are expected to be in this season).今天的气温会和往年此时的平均气温一样。

Just think, this time (= at the same particular point during) next week we'll be in Aruba.想想吧，下星期这个时候我们就在阿鲁巴岛了。

We regret that at the present time (US also at this time) we are unable to supply the products you ordered.很遗憾，我们现在无法供应您订的货。

The time is fast drawing near/approaching (= it will soon be the time) when we'll have to make a decision.我们必须下决心的时刻很快就要到了。

at the time

A2 at the particular point when something was thought of or done在当时

It seemed like a good idea at the time.在当时这似乎是个好主意。

at the same time

B1 If two things happen at the same time, they happen together.在同时

We arrived at the same time.我们同时到达。

at your time of life

at a person's present age在…的年纪

At his time of life, he ought to be taking things easy.他这样年纪应该享享清福了。

More examples

What time would it be convenient for me to come round?

By the time the meal began, the youngest children were getting tired and crotchety.

I might go to the cinema tomorrow - it depends what time I get home from work.

The train was empty by the time it reached London.

The exact time of the accident was 2.43 pm.

time noun SUITABLE POINT

B1 [ S or U ] a particular point of the day, year, etc. that is suitable for a particular activity, or at which something is expected to happen（从事特定活动或某事应该发生的）时间，时候

holiday time假期

party time聚会时间

Put your toys away now - it's time for bed.现在收拾好玩具，该睡觉了。

It's time (that) I was leaving.我该动身了。

[ + to infinitive ] Is it time (for us) to go home yet?该回家了吗？

This is not the time (= not a suitable moment) to be thinking about buying a house.现在不是考虑买房子的时候。

This is no time (= not a suitable moment) to change your mind.现在不是你改变主意的时候。

I feel that the time has come (= now is a suitable moment) for me to move on.我觉得是我离开的时候了。

The repairs to the road were finished two weeks ahead of time (= sooner than was expected).道路维修工程提前两星期完成了。

Why is it that the buses never run on time (= make their journeys in the expected number of hours, etc.)?为什么公交车从不准点？

She's grown old before her time (= sooner than she might have been expected to have done).她过早地衰老了。

in time

B1 early enough及早，及时

I got home just in time - it's starting to rain.我正好及时赶到家——随后就开始下雨了。

If we don't hurry up, we won't be in time to catch the train.如果我们不赶快，就不能及时赶上火车了。

We got there in plenty of time (= we arrived early) for the beginning of the game.我们比赛前早早地就到了。

(right/dead/bang) on time informal

happening or done at the particular moment that it was expected to happen or be done极为准时

My parents go to the house right on time.我父母极为准时地到家。

ahead of time mainly US

earlier than a particular moment提前

Let's meet for lunch. I'll call you ahead of time to decide exactly when and where.我们见面吃个午饭吧。我会提前打电话跟你定时间和地点。

about time also high time informal

C1 If it is about time/high time that someone did something, it should have been done sooner or a long time ago.差不多是时候了；早该（做某事）了

It's about time (that) the school improved its food service.学校早该改善膳食服务了。

It is high time for the critics to open their minds to a new approach.是到了批评者们对新做法采取开放态度的时候了。

about time UK also about time too, not before time informal

said when someone does something or something happens that you think should have been done or have happened much sooner（表示某人早该做某事了或某事早该发生了）早该如此

"So Ben's finally found a job." "Yeah, it's about time."“这么说，本终于找到工作了。”“对，早就该找到了。”

the time is right/ripe

it is the most suitable moment to do something or for something to happen时机已经成熟

I haven't told him yet, but I will when the time is right.我目前还没有告诉他，时机成熟的时候我会的。

She felt the time was right to leave.她觉得是时候该离开了。

The time is ripe for investing in new technology.投资新技术的时机成熟了。

More examples

It's time we dug up those potatoes.

Many politicians argued that this was no time to disarm .

The submarine dived just in time to avoid the enemy attack.

Drink up! It's time to go.

Borrowers are expected to return books on time.

time noun OCCASION

A2 [ C ] an occasion when something happens, or the experience connected with it次，回；一段经历

The last time we went to Paris, it rained every day.上一次我们去巴黎的时候，每天都下雨。

Every time/Each time I ask you to do something you say you're busy.每次我叫你做事，你都说太忙。

They go swimming three or four times a week.他们每周去游泳三四次。

There are times when I wish I didn't live where I do.有时我真希望我不是住在现在的地方。

The four-times champion (= the champion on four occasions in the past) was defeated in the second round.这名曾4度夺冠的选手在比赛的第二轮就被打败了。

If I'd known at the time (= then) that she was his former wife, I'd never have said what I did.我当时要是知道她是他前妻的话，我就不会那样说了。

Sometimes I enjoy my English classes, but at other times I find them really boring.有时我很喜欢英语课，但有时也感觉很枯燥。

For the umpteenth/hundredth/thousandth time, (= I've told you on many occasions to) stop teasing your sister.我无数次／上百次／上千次告诉过你，别再戏弄你妹妹了。

Did you have a bad/good time (= an unpleasant/enjoyable experience) at the conference?你会开得好／不好吗？

She had an easy/hard time of it (= a comfortable/uncomfortable experience) with the birth of her second baby.她生第二个孩子时很顺利／艰难。

from time to time

B2 sometimes, but not often偶尔，有时

From time to time I still think of her.我偶尔还会想起她。

time after time

C2 again and again一次又一次

Time after time she gets involved in relationships with the wrong men.她一次次地与不般配的男人陷入情感纠葛。

time and (time) again

very often屡次，经常

I've told you time and time again - look before you cross the road.我多次跟你说过——过马路之前要先看一看。

at all times

continuously一直，总是

When you're at the airport, you should make sure you have your luggage with you at all times.在机场，要把行李一直带在你身边。

at (any) one time also at a time, also at any given time

at or during any particular point or moment in the day每次；任何时候

Only a certain number of people are allowed in the building at any one time.该建筑任何时候都只允许一定数量的人员进入。

I'm sorry, but I'm too busy to help you now - I can only do one thing at a time.对不起，我现在太忙了，不能帮你——我一次只能做一件事。

at times

C1 sometimes有时

You can be really annoying at times, you know.要知道，你有时很令人恼火。

at any time

ever在任何时候

Parking is not allowed here at any time.这里任何时候都不得停车。

the times UK

on many occasions多次

The times I've told you, ask before you borrow my clothes.我已经告诉你许多次了，在借用我的衣服之前要先问一声。

More examples

The announcement came at a bad time.

Don't be daft - let me pay - you paid last time.

Every time I ring her, the phone is engaged.

I fell in love with him the first time I saw him.

I was embarrassed at the time, but I had a good laugh about it later.

time noun HISTORICAL PERIOD

B2 [ C ] also times a period in history历史时期；时代

"A Tale of Two Cities" is set at the time of the French Revolution.小说《双城记》是以法国大革命时期为背景的。

In/During medieval times, women thought to be witches were burned at the stake.中世纪时期，人们把被认为是女巫的女人烧死在火刑柱上。

In times gone by, all crops were harvested by hand.在过去的时代里，所有的农作物都是手工收割的。

Times were hard (= living conditions were not good) when I was a boy.我小时候日子很艰难。

He is widely regarded as one of the best writers of modern/our times (= the present or very recent past).人们普遍认为他是现代／我们这个时代最优秀的作家之一。

I never thought it would happen in my time (= before I died).我怎么也想不到这会在我有生之年发生。

We sat and talked about old times (= things that had happened to us in the past.)我们坐下来谈论往事。

Times have changed and many more women now have executive jobs than in the past.时代已经变了，置身高级管理职位的女性数量比过去多得多了。

at one time

C2 in the past过去；一度

At one time, George Eliot lived here.乔治‧艾略特曾一度住在这里。

ahead of your time UK also before your time

having new ideas, opinions, or ways of living long before most other people do领先时代的，超越时代的

before sb's time

If something is before your time, it happened or existed before you were born or were old enough to remember it.在…出生前；在…记事前

I don't remember the Beatles - they were before my time.我对甲壳虫乐队没有什么印象——那是我出生前的事。

See also

ahead of your time

time was

said to mean that there was a period in the past when something used to happen or be true在过去；想当年

Time was (when) you could buy a loaf of bread for sixpence.过去，你花6便士就能买到一条面包。

More examples

These coins were used in Roman times.

My novel is set in the time of the French Revolution.

I don't suppose we'll find life on Mars in my time.

time noun RACE

[ C or U ] Your time in a race is the number of minutes, hours, etc. you take to complete it.（赛跑中所用的）时间

Her time for the marathon was just under three hours.她的马拉松成绩略低于3小时。

He ran the 100 metres in record time.他以创纪录的成绩完成了100米赛跑。

time noun MUSIC

[ U ] the number of beats in a bar of music, or the speed at which a piece of music is intended to be played拍子；节奏

This piece is written in 4/4 time.这支曲子是四四拍的。

Small children often have difficulty singing in time with the music (= at the same speed at which the music is being played).幼儿唱歌时常常难以与音乐合拍。

It seemed to me as if the violins were playing out of time (= at a different speed from the other instruments playing the same piece of music).我觉得小提琴似乎不合拍。

To beat time is to make a regular series of sounds at the same speed as a piece of music is played.打拍子就是跟着音乐的节奏制造出一系列有规律的声响。

Tapping your foot will help you to keep time (= to play the music at the correct speed).用脚轻叩有助于你跟上节拍。

time noun PRISON

do time informal

to spend a period of time in prison（在监狱）服刑

It's not always easy to find a job after you've done time.出狱后要找到工作可不容易。

time noun DRINKING

[ U ] the particular point in the day at which people who are drinking in a bar in the UK have to finish their drinks and leave（英国酒吧的）打烊时间

"Time, please!" called the landlord.“对不起，要打烊了，”店主叫道。

Is it time already?已经到打烊的时间了吗？

Idiom(s)

all the time in the world

behind the times

be pressed for time

change with/keep up with/move with the times

give sb a hard time

give sb the time of day

have a lot of time for sb

have no time for sb

have time to kill

a matter/question of time

there's a time and a place (for everything)

there's no time like the present

time and tide wait for no man

time flies

time hangs heavy

time is money

time is of the essence

time is on sb's side

the time is ripe

the time of your life

have time on your hands

time stands still

(only) time will tell

time's a great healer

verb [ T ]uk/taɪm/ us/taɪm/

time verb [ T ] ARRANGE

to decide that something will happen at a particular time确定…的时间，为…安排时间

[ + to infinitive ] We timed our trip to coincide with my cousin's wedding.我们把旅行安排在表哥结婚的时候。

to arrange something so that it happens at the best possible time掌握好…的时机

If you time your departure carefully, you should be able to miss the worst of the traffic.如果精心安排好出发的时间，你应该能够避开交通堵塞最严重的时段。

The girls' basketball team won the game with a perfectly timed shot (= one played at exactly the right moment), just before the buzzer.女子少年篮球队完美地掌握时机，在比赛结束哨响前一刻投篮进球，赢得了这场比赛。

More examples

They timed the book to coincide with the film release.

They timed the trip for after the end of their project.

time verb [ T ] MEASURE

B2 to measure how long it takes for something to happen or for someone to do something为…计时，测定…所需的时间

Will you time me to see how long it takes me to swim a length?请你给我测一下游一个单程要花多少时间好吗？

suffixuk/ -taɪm/ us/ -taɪm/

the stated period of time during the year, day, etc.…时间（某年、日等所述时间段）

springtime春季

Christmas-time圣诞节的时候

daytime白天

night-time夜晚