Word
sometime
Phoneticssome·time, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsəmˌtaɪm/
UK/sˈʌmtaɪm/
Definitions
01at an unknown time
B1 · Intermediate
adv. at a time that you do not know exactly, or have not decided yet.
adv. at an indefinite or unstated point in time, typically referring to the future but occasionally the past.
“We should get together for coffee sometime next week.”
“The report was published sometime last year, though the exact month remains a matter of debate among the committee members.”
Usage
Usually placed after the verb or at the end of a clause when referring to the future.
02former
C1 · Advanced Formal · Literary
adj. having been something in the past; former.
adj. having formerly held a particular role or status; erstwhile.
“The sometime captain of the team returned to watch the final match.”
“The essay was written by a sometime professor of linguistics who had since turned his attention to political activism.”
Usage
Used only before a noun to describe a previous state or profession.
03occasional
C2 · Proficiency Literary
adj. happening now and then, but not regularly.
adj. occurring or acting occasionally or intermittently.
“He was a sometime visitor to the small island during the summer.”
“Her sometime interest in photography occasionally resulted in stunning portraits, though she rarely picked up her camera for months at a time.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “sometime” in context.
Verb
01. happen sometime
“The accident must have happened sometime during the night.”
verb + adv
02. meet sometime
“Let's meet sometime next week to discuss the project details.”
verb + adv
03. visit sometime
“You should come and visit sometime when you are in the city.”
verb + adv
Adjective
04. sometime actor
“He is a successful lawyer and a sometime actor in local theater productions.”
adj + noun
05. sometime ally
“The two countries were sometime allies during the previous conflict.”
adj + noun
Preposition
06. sometime in june
“The new store is expected to open sometime in June.”
prep + noun
07. sometime in the future
“We hope to travel to Japan sometime in the near future.”
prep + adj + noun
Confusables
sometime vs sometimes vs some time
Sometime is a point in time, sometimes is a frequency, and some time is a duration.
RememberSometimes has an 's' for several times; some time is two words for a long time.
Real-World Examples
“Noailles set out for Saint-Domingue sometime after the summer of 1802.” “But the situation had not improved by the time he got promoted to a sector-level job sometime in 2022, he says.” “Sometime later, a big, black car pulled up to the courthouse.” “Remind me to talk about how those work sometime.” Etymology
From Middle English somtyme, som time, some tyme, sume time, sumtym, sumtyme, equivalent to some + time.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADVERB
- 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
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
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