Word
downtime
Phoneticsdown·time, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdaʊnˌtaɪm/
UK/dˈaʊntaɪm/
Uncountable noun InformalTechnicalTechnology
Definition
n. time when you can relax and do nothing because you are not working or busy. It can also mean the time when a machine or computer system is not working.
n. a period of time during which a person is free from work or obligations; also refers to the interval when a computer system or machine is unavailable for use.
Examples
“I need some downtime after this busy week.”
“The IT department scheduled the server maintenance for Sunday night to minimize downtime for the employees.”
“Finding a balance between high-intensity productivity and restorative downtime is essential for preventing burnout in demanding professional environments.”
Examples
simple
“I need some downtime after this busy week.”
contextual
“The IT department scheduled the server maintenance for Sunday night to minimize downtime for the employees.”
complex
“Finding a balance between high-intensity productivity and restorative downtime is essential for preventing burnout in demanding professional environments.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to relaxation or system inactivity; occasionally used with 'some' or 'a bit of'.
Real-World Examples
“I’m not sure your average Briton, spending their downtime from work scrolling exhaustedly on the sofa, will feel the same.” “Other ideas are smart notifications that are geo-fenced to know when you need some downtime.” Etymology
From down (“out of order; out of service; inoperable”) + time.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/downtime