teatime

Everyday

1. (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ) The time in the late afternoon or early evening when people eat their evening meal, often called «tea». tree →
2. (UK) The time in the afternoon when people have a cup of tea and maybe cake or biscuits. tree →

In the lessons

In British, Irish, Australian and NZ homes, «tea» can mean the evening meal, so «teatime» is about dinner time (often around 5 or 6 pm). In stories it shows a cosy family moment. In maths it appears in time problems. Phrases: «at teatime», «by teatime», «teatime treat».

Examples

• Come home by teatime! tree →
• We had fish fingers at teatime. tree →
• Grandma always has cake at teatime. tree →
• Don't eat biscuits now — it's nearly teatime. tree →
• Teatime is at six o'clock in our house. tree →
• If teatime is at 5:30 pm and it is 4:45 pm now, there are 45 minutes to wait. tree →
• The cat always comes in at teatime. tree →
• But at teatime another thing happened. tree →

Note

One word, sometimes «tea time». Trap: in the UK, Ireland, Australia and NZ «tea» may mean a whole meal, not just the drink; Americans usually say «dinner» or «supper». The exact hour differs between families.