timing

IPA/ˈtaɪmɪŋ/
KK[tˈaɪmɪŋ]IPA/ˈtaɪmɪŋ/

timing — noun

  • timingsingular
  • timingsplural

1. the specific moment when something happens, chosen because it is a good or suita

1.nounB1
Definition

the specific moment when something happens, chosen because it is a good or suitable time for it.

Example

The timing of the wedding was moved to spring because of the weather.

the timing of [event] — specifying which event

Karim questioned the timing of the announcement since finals were that week.

Common collocations
  • timing of
  • perfect timing
  • bad timing
  • poor timing
  • good timing
Synonyms
  • scheduling

    more formal; refers to the act of planning times for events rather than the moment itself

  • moment

    a specific point in time, but without the sense of suitability that 'timing' carries

Grammar Patterns

the timing of [event]

Usage Note

Often followed by 'of' to specify the event or action whose moment is being discussed (the timing of the announcement, the timing of the decision). Frequently modified by adjectives like 'good,' 'bad,' 'perfect,' or 'poor.'

Common Mistakes

The time of the meeting was not ideal because everyone was busy.' (when focusing on suitability).
The timing of the meeting was not ideal because everyone was busy.
'time' refers to the clock reading; 'timing' emphasises how suitable the chosen moment is.

2. the fixed hours during which a person normally works or a business is open to se

2.nounB1
Definition

the fixed hours during which a person normally works or a business is open to serve customers.

Example

The clinic timing is from eight in the morning until six at night.

[place] timing — the business hours of a specific place

Nellie checked the museum timing on the website before her visit.

Common collocations
  • clinic timing
  • office timing
  • opening hours
  • bank timing
Synonyms
  • hours

    more common in American English; less formal

  • opening hours

    common in British English for businesses; more explicit

  • business hours

    neutral term, used in both American and British English

Grammar Patterns

[place] timing

timing of [place]

Usage Note

Primarily used in British English; American English prefers 'hours,' 'business hours,' or 'opening hours.' Sense 2 may sound unnatural to American readers. The plural form 'timings' is sometimes used interchangeably in this sense (What are the pub's timings?).

Common Mistakes

The timing is from 9 to 5 every day.' (without specifying whose timing).
The office timing is from 9 to 5 every day.
In this sense, 'timing' nearly always needs a possessor or 'of' phrase to identify the place or person.

3. the inborn or developed ability to pick the most effective instant for an action

3.nounB2
Definition

the inborn or developed ability to pick the most effective instant for an action or remark, making the outcome as strong as possible.

Example

The comedian's timing was so precise that every joke got a big laugh.

Élise showed perfect timing when she asked for a promotion after the big sale.

perfect / excellent / impeccable timing — strong adjective modifiers

Common collocations
  • good timing
  • perfect timing
  • impeccable timing
  • terrible timing
  • social timing
  • timing in
Synonyms
  • instinct

    more about natural, untaught ability rather than learned skill

  • judgment

    wider in meaning; includes decision-making beyond just when to act

  • feel

    informal; suggests an intuitive sense of the right moment

Grammar Patterns

have (good/perfect/excellent) timing

[activity] timing

Usage Note

Frequently appears with strong positive or negative adjectives (impeccable timing, terrible timing). The skill can be innate (natural timing) or developed through practice. Common in contexts like comedy, sports, and business negotiations.

Common Mistakes

He has a good timing.' (treating it as a countable noun).
He has good timing.
'Timing' in this sense is uncountable and does not take an article.

4. the capacity to keep a steady pulse in music and to perform each note at the exa

4.nounB2
Definition

the capacity to keep a steady pulse in music and to perform each note at the exact instant required by the piece.

Example

The drummer's steady timing kept the whole band playing together.

Nia used a metronome every day to improve her timing on the violin.

improve (your / one's) timing on [instrument]

Common collocations
  • keep timing
  • improve timing
  • timing on
  • timing is off
  • good timing
  • steady timing
Synonyms
  • rhythm

    refers more to the pattern of beats than the skill of maintaining the correct speed

  • tempo

    the specific speed of a piece, not the player's skill in maintaining it

  • time

    used in music instruction ('keep time') but less precise than 'timing'

Grammar Patterns

keep timing

work on (your) timing

timing on [instrument]

Usage Note

Often used with verbs like 'keep,' 'improve,' 'work on,' or 'fix.' A metronome is the most common tool for practising timing. Contrast with 'rhythm,' which refers to the pattern of long and short notes; 'timing' focuses on speed and steadiness.

Common Mistakes

My rhythm is off' (when you mean the speed/steadiness).
My timing is off
'rhythm' is about the pattern of beats; 'timing' is about keeping the correct speed.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Time is the most general word, referring to any point or period of measurable duration ('The time of the meeting is 3 p.m.'). Timing specifically emphasises whether that moment is well or poorly chosen in context ('The timing of the meeting was terrible because everyone was on holiday'). Moment refers to a very short, specific point in time, often with a sense of significance ('At that moment, everything changed') — it lacks the suitability judgment carried by timing. Schedule is a formal plan listing when events will happen ('The flight schedule was delayed'), focusing on the planned order rather than the appropriateness of the moment. Use timing when you want to comment on whether something happened at a good or bad point; use time for the basic clock or calendar reference.

moment ↗schedule ↗time ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • timing is everything
  • with perfect timing
  • in terms of timing

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

The noun 'timing' was formed in English around the 17th century by adding the suffix '-ing' to the noun 'time,' which itself comes from Old English 'tīma,' meaning a limited stretch of duration. 'Time' traces back through Proto-Germanic '*tīmô' to the Proto-Indo-European root '*di-' meaning 'to divide,' reflecting the ancient concept of time as a measured or divided stretch. The sense of 'choosing the right moment' (Sense 3) developed in the late 19th century, while the musical sense (Sense 4) emerged alongside the formalisation of music theory in the 18th and 19th centuries.