ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sometime

adv. · adj.
US //ˈsəmˌtaɪm// UK //sˈʌmtaɪm// some·time
  1. 1 at an unknown time (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    at a time that you do not know exactly, or have not decided yet.

    at an indefinite or unstated point in time, typically referring to the future but occasionally the past.

    Example

    We should get together for coffee sometime next week.

    Example

    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.
  2. 2 former (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Literary

    having been something in the past; former.

    having formerly held a particular role or status; erstwhile.

    Example

    The sometime captain of the team returned to watch the final match.

    Example

    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.
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  1. 3 occasional (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    happening now and then, but not regularly.

    occurring or acting occasionally or intermittently.

    Example

    He was a sometime visitor to the small island during the summer.

    Example

    Her sometime interest in photography occasionally resulted in stunning portraits, though she rarely picked up her camera for months at a time.
Origin

From Middle English somtyme, som time, some tyme, sume time, sumtym, sumtyme, equivalent to some + time.

Word family

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