timing

Everyday

1. Timing is choosing the right moment to do something. tree →
2. Timing is measuring how long something takes, for example with a stopwatch. tree →
3. In music, sport and jokes, timing is doing things exactly on the beat or at the best moment. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons pupils practise timing an experiment, such as how long ice takes to melt, using a stopwatch. In PE, a runner's timing is checked. In everyday life «good timing» means something happened at just the right moment; «bad timing» means the wrong moment. Comedians need good timing. Phrases: «good timing», «perfect timing», «bad timing», «the timing of».

Examples

• You arrived just as dinner was ready — perfect timing! tree →
• We were timing how long the candle took to burn down. tree →
• Good timing helps you catch a ball. tree →
• The joke was funny because of his timing. tree →
• Asking for a puppy during the argument was bad timing. tree →
• In the race, Mr Lee was timing us with a stopwatch. tree →
• The drummer's timing kept the whole band together. tree →
• Timing matters when you cross the road at a crossing. tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable: «good timing», not «a good timing». As a verb form: «I am timing you» (measuring time). In maths problems timing means finding how long something lasts: end time minus start time. Spelling: drop the e of «time» before -ing.