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Synonyms

high time

American  

noun

  1. the appropriate time or past the appropriate time.

    It's high time he got out of bed.


high time British  

adverb

  1. the latest possible time; a time that is almost too late

    it's high time you mended this shelf

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. Also called: high old time.  an enjoyable and exciting time

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
high time Idioms  
  1. The appropriate time for something; also, past the appropriate time. For example, It's high time we did something about Martha's dog, or It's high time you children were in bed. The precise meaning of this term depends on the tone of voice and/or the context. For a synonym, see about time.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So it’s high time for another round of hotel hot takes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

It’s the weekend before Halloween, high time for the freaks to descend.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

"It is high time that health becomes an issue for formal negotiations, and we hope to see this at COP31" next year, he said.

From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025

Corruption has been a long-term issue, she told the BBC, adding that it is "high time our nation, our prime minister, and anyone in power changes, because we need to change".

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2025

It was high time that someone official educated the poor villagers on the benefits of orbs and the powers of the Governor, That was one part of the reason Nok's father had decided to come.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

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