any time
Also found in: Thesaurus, Idioms.
time
(tīm)n.
1.
a. A nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future.
b. An interval separating two points on this continuum; a duration: a long time since the last war; passed the time reading.
c. A number, as of years, days, or minutes, representing such an interval: ran the course in a time just under four minutes.
d. A similar number representing a specific point on this continuum, reckoned in hours and minutes: checked her watch and recorded the time, 6:17 am.
e. A system by which such intervals are measured or such numbers are reckoned: solar time.
2.
a. often times An interval, especially a span of years, marked by similar events, conditions, or phenomena; an era: hard times; a time of troubles.
b. times The present with respect to prevailing conditions and trends: You must change with the times.
3. A suitable or opportune moment or season: a time for taking stock of one's life.
4.
a. Periods or a period designated for a given activity: harvest time; time for bed.
b. Periods or a period necessary or available for a given activity: I have no time for golf.
c. A period at one's disposal: Do you have time for a chat?
5. An appointed or fated moment, especially of death or giving birth: He died before his time. Her time is near.
6.
a. One of several instances: knocked three times; addressed Congress for the last time before retirement.
b. times Used to indicate the number of instances by which something is multiplied or divided: This tree is three times taller than that one. My library is many times smaller than hers.
7.
a. One's lifetime.
b. One's period of greatest activity or engagement.
c. A person's experience during a specific period or on a certain occasion: had a good time at the party.
8.
a. A period of military service.
b. A period of apprenticeship.
c. Informal A prison sentence.
9.
a. The customary period of work: hired for full time.
b. The period spent working.
c. The hourly pay rate: earned double time on Sundays.
10. The period during which a radio or television program or commercial is broadcast: "There's television time to buy" (Brad Goldstein).
11. The rate of speed of a measured activity: marching in double time.
12. Music
a. The meter of a musical pattern: three-quarter time.
b. The rate of speed at which a piece of music is played; the tempo.
13. Chiefly British The hour at which a pub closes.
14. Sports A time-out.
adj.
1. Of, relating to, or measuring time.
2. Constructed so as to operate at a particular moment: a time release.
3. Payable on a future date or dates.
4. Of or relating to installment buying: time payments.
tr.v. timed, tim·ing, times
Phrasal Verb: 1. To set the time for (an event or occasion).
2. To adjust to keep accurate time.
3. To adjust so that a force is applied or an action occurs at the desired time: timed his swing so as to hit the ball squarely.
4. To record the speed or duration of: time a runner.
5. To set or maintain the tempo, speed, or duration of: time a manufacturing process.
6. To speculate based on the anticipated short-term performance of (a market): time the stock market.
time out
Idioms: Computers To be canceled if an expected input is not received after a specified time. Used of processes.
against time
With a quickly approaching time limit: worked against time to deliver the manuscript before the deadline.
any time
Used to acknowledge an expression of gratitude.
at one time
1. Simultaneously.
2. At a period or moment in the past.
at the same time
However; nonetheless.
at times
On occasion; sometimes.
behind the times
Out-of-date; old-fashioned.
for the time being
Temporarily.
from time to time
Once in a while; at intervals.
high time
The appropriate or urgent time: It's high time that you started working.
in good time
1. In a reasonable length of time.
2. When or before due.
3. Quickly.
in no time
Almost instantly; immediately.
in time
1. Before a time limit expires.
2. Within an indefinite time; eventually: In time they came to accept the harsh facts.
3. Music
a. In the proper tempo.
b. Played with a meter.
on time
1. According to schedule; punctual or punctually.
2. By paying in installments.
time after time
Again and again; repeatedly.
time and again
Again and again; repeatedly.
time of (one's) life
A highly pleasurable experience: We had the time of our lives at the beach.
time on (one's) hands
An interval with nothing to do.
time was
There was once a time: "Time was when [urban gangs] were part of a ... subculture that inner-city adolescence outgrew" (George F. Will).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
any time
If you can do something any time or at any time, you can do it whenever you want to.
If you'd like to give it a try, just come any time.
They can leave at any time.
When you use any time without 'at', you can spell it anytime.
I could have left anytime.
We'll be hearing from him anytime now.
If you want to say that something can be done whenever a particular thing is needed, you can use any time with a that-clause, usually without 'that'.
Any time you need him, let me know.
Any time the banks need to increase rates on loans they are passed on very quickly.
Any time is also used in negative sentences to mean 'some time'.
We mustn't waste any time in Athens.
I haven't had any time to learn how to use it properly.
When you use any time to mean 'some time', you do not spell it 'anytime'.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012