part time

¹

[pahrt tahym]

noun

1. a period of time that is less than full time: PT, P/T

   Thirty-five hours a week is still considered part time.

part-time

²

[pahrt-tahym, pahrt-tahym]

adjective

1. employed, functioning, or working less than the customary or requisite number of hours.

   They had only enough money to hire a part-time clerk.

2. lasting, requiring, or being in force only a part of the time.

   part-time employment;

   part-time jobs.

adverb

1. on a part-time basis.

   to work part-time.

part-time

adjective

1. for less than the entire time appropriate to an activity

   a part-time job

   a part-time waitress

adverb

1. on a part-time basis

   he works part time

Other Word Forms

• part-timer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of part-time¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Origin of part-time²

First recorded in 1890–95; adjective, adverb use of part time