Topic vocabulary: Time |
| abrupt (adj) |
sudden and unexpected, often in an unpleasant way |
Our friendship came to an abrupt end. |
| anachronism (n) |
something that is no longer suitable for or relevant to modern times |
She regards the marriage ceremony as a quaint anachronism. |
| annual (adj) |
happening once a year |
We've got our annual conference next month. |
| annual (adj) |
calculated or considered over a period of one year |
You'll receive an annual salary of €100,000. |
| antique (adj) |
old and valuable |
We offer a wide range of antique furniture. |
| antique (n) |
an old object such as a piece of furniture or jewellery that is valuable because it is rare, beautiful or well made |
The desk is an antique. |
| century (n) |
a period of 100 years, usually counted from a year ending in -00. For example, the 20th century is the period from 1900 to 1999 |
His family has ruled Morocco since the 17th century. |
| chronological (adj) |
arranged or described in the order in which events happened |
The paintings are presented in chronological order. |
| contemporary (adj) |
modern or relating to the present time |
I'm not very keen on contemporary art. |
| contemporary (adj) |
alive or existing at the same time as a particular event or person |
Contemporary sources offer a very different interpretation. |
| contemporary (n) |
someone alive at the same time as a particular event or person |
Most of his contemporaries regarded him as a mere eccentric. |
| decade (n) |
a period of ten years, especially one beginning with a year that ends in a 0, for example 1990 to 1999 |
Prices have risen sharply in the last decade. |
| duration (n) |
the period of time during which something continues to happen or exist |
The duration of the film is 110 minutes. |
| elapse (v) |
if time elapses, it passes |
Another hour elapsed and still the wind continued to howl. |
| era (n) |
a period of time that has a particular quality or character |
We are living in an era in which technology is developing very rapidly. |
| eternal (adj) |
continuing for ever or for a very long time |
She has earned our eternal gratitude. |
| expire (v) |
if an agreement, offer or official document expires, the period of time during which it exists or can be used comes to an end |
The loan offer is due to expire this week. |
| frequency (n) |
the number of times that something happens during a period of time |
Changes in sea temperature will increase the frequency of hurricanes. |
| instantaneous (adj) |
immediate |
Recently developed medical tests can give instantaneous results. |
| interim (adj) |
intended to last or perform an activity only until someone or something permanent or final is available |
This is only an interim report. |
| interim (n) |
the time between one thing happening and another, or while waiting for something permanent or final to become available |
In the interim between John Smith dying and Tony Blair becoming leader, Margaret Beckett acted as leader of the Labour Party. |
| interval (n) |
a period of time between two events |
The normal interval between our meetings is six weeks. |
| interval (n) |
a short break between the parts of something such as a play or concert |
How long is the interval? |
| lapse (n) |
a short or temporary period when you fail or forget to do things in the right way |
The man admitted driving over the speed limit and apologised for the lapse. |
| lapse (n) |
a period of time between two events |
There was a lapse of ten years between his visits. |
| lapse (v) |
to stop gradually or for a short time |
At this point the waiter came up with Maggie's drink and conversation lapsed. |
| lapse (v) |
if an official document, decision or right lapses, it is no longer effective |
The permit was extended for another year before being left to lapse. |
| lifetime (n) |
the period of time when someone is alive |
He achieved a lot in his short lifetime. |
| lifetime (n) |
the length of time that something exists or works |
There are plans to extend the lifetime of the power station. |
| long-standing (adj) |
having existed for a long time |
There's a long-standing tradition in our family of giving presents on Christmas Eve. |
| millennium (n) |
a period of 1,000 years or the beginning of a period of 1,000 years |
People celebrating the millennium filled the streets. |
| obsolete (adj) |
no longer used because of being replaced by something newer and more effective |
Most computer hardware rapidly becomes obsolete. |
| overdue (adj) |
if something is overdue, it should have arrived/ been done/ been paid/ etc before now |
This change in attitude is long overdue. |
| period (n) |
an amount of time during which something happens |
The long dry period ended with torrential rain. |
| permanent (adj) |
happening or existing for a long time or for all time in the future |
She suffered permanent brain damage as a result of the accident. |
| phase (n) |
a particular period of time during the development of something |
The war was about to enter its final phase. |
| postpone (v) |
to decide that something will not be done at the time when it was planned for, but at a later time |
Our exam has been postponed until next Monday. |
| prior (adj) |
happening, existing or done before a particular time |
Illegally parked cars may be removed at any time without prior notice. |
| prompt (adj) |
immediate or quick |
Prompt action is required. |
| prompt (adj) |
happening or arriving at exactly a particular time |
The meeting got off to a prompt start at ten o'clock. |
| provisional (adj) |
intended to be temporary, and likely to be changed when other arrangements are made |
The provisional government lasted three months. |
| provisional (adj) |
if an arrangement is provisional, the people involved have not yet said that they definitely want to do it |
We've made a provisional reservation for next week. |
| punctual (adj) |
arriving or happening at the time agreed on |
Mrs Marsh liked her guests to be punctual. |
| seasonal (adj) |
available only during a particular time of year |
The work was well paid but seasonal. |
| seasonal (adj) |
suitable or typical of the time of year it is now |
We needed to find some seasonal music. |
| simultaneous (adj) |
happening or done at the same time |
In simultaneous announcements, the two men resigned from their jobs. |
| span (n) |
the amount of time that something lasts |
Nearly 100 witnesses testified over a span of 20 days. |
| span (v) |
to last for a particular period of time, especially a long period |
His career spanned half a century. |
| spell (n) |
a period of time, usually a short one |
I had a two-week spell in hospital. |
| stint (n) |
a period of time spent doing something |
He came to California after a brief stint as a waiter in New York. |
| subsequent (adj) |
happening or coming after something else |
In subsequent interviews, Steele has contradicted his original story. |
| temporary (adj) |
existing, done or used for only a limited period of time |
These measures are only temporary. |
| timely (adj) |
happening at the most suitable time |
Thanks to the UN's timely intervention, a crisis was avoided. |
| vintage (adj) |
vintage wine is excellent in quality and was made several years ago |
Let's get some vintage champagne' |
| vintage (adj) |
a vintage object or vehicle is old, but kept in good condition because it is interesting or attractive |
My father has a number of vintage motorcycles. |
| vintage (adj) |
showing the best or most typical qualities of someone |
She turned in a vintage display of tennis to win the title. |
| vintage (n) |
all of the wine produced in a particular year, or the year it was produced |
This year's vintage will be the best in many years. |
| vintage (n) |
the time when something was produced |
He's got a collection of guns of all types and vintages. |
