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on time

/ɑn taɪm/
/ɒn taɪm/
IPA guide

When you do something on time, you do it right when you should — you're not too late. It's important to show up on time for a train, or it may leave without you.

If you're always on time, you're punctual: you can be depended on to arrive when you say you will. If you pay your bills on time, you'll never get a late notice or fee. People who are never on time, however, are always late. The adverb phrase on time was first used in the late 1800s.

Definitions of on time
  1. adverb
    at the expected time
    “she always arrives on time
Pronunciation
US
/ɑn taɪm/
UK
/ɒn taɪm/
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