Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

time-out

/ˈtaɪm.aʊt/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: 6.03 in modern English

Syllables: time-out
IPA: /ˈtaɪm.aʊt/

9

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A short break in the action of a sport, for substitution, consultation, etc.

noun

A break from a tense, heated or stressful situation (often enforced, sometimes as a disciplinary measure); a cooling-off period.

noun

A perhaps temporary break in a relationship.

Informal

noun

The abortion of an incomplete task after a time limit considered long enough for it to end normally.

Example Sentences

"We're being beaten! We need a time-out!"
"I'm going to take a brief time-out from this job."
"Hitting people is not acceptable! Go to your room and take a time-out!"
"As punishment, my mom gave me a 15-minute time-out."

Etymology

From time + out.

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /ˈtaɪm.aʊt/

Usage

Informal

Inflected Forms

time-outs (plural) timeout (alternative)

Homonyms

timeout

Rhymes With

timeout

Questions

How do you pronounce time-out?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈtaɪm.aʊt/.
What does time-out mean?: A short break in the action of a sport, for substitution, consultation, etc.
Where does time-out come from?: From time + out.

How to pronounce time-out

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “time-out”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈtaɪm.aʊt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “time-out”.
Repeat and practice — Say “time-out” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.