Jump To:

• part time
  part time

  noun

  a period of time that is less than full time: PT, P/T
• part-time
  part-time

  adjective

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

part time

¹ American  

[pahrt tahym] / ˈpɑrt ˈtaɪm /

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 American  

[pahrt-tahym, pahrt-tahym] / ˈpɑrtˌtaɪm, ˈpɑrtˈtaɪm /

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 British  

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

Etymology

Origin of part time¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Origin of part-time²

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

Explanation

Anything that's part-time is done less often than is typical or average. If you're sick of working full-time hours, try working part-time. Part-time works as an adjective or an adverb, to describe things that don't take up as much time as you might expect, just part of a day or part of a week. If you're a part-time bus driver, you might do it twenty hours each week, in between classes. You could also call yourself a part-time student, or say that you study sociology part-time.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

part time part-time

He left his job in 2024, sold his company in 2025 and now works part time as a chief information officer in Tampa.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

The question is whether Ted, working part time as the assistant manager of a supermarket, is living the best version of himself.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

She also works part time with a government agency providing therapy services for children, but the work isn’t steady, especially during the summer when school is out.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

A recent survey conducted by Indeed Flex, a job search site, says almost 30% of retirees are considering part time or temporary work.

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026

“Then I had a heart attack and had to give it up. I work part time now. But I know the game. I know the game and I know what you got in here.”

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers

September’s fall in the employment was the steepest since February, and was split between full- and part-time work.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Some of the recorded messages mention an offer of part-time work.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Former US steelworker Denise Barber retired three years ago, but steep gasoline prices and family healthcare needs are making the Ohio resident consider returning to part-time work to make ends meet.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

The current workforce is about 80,000 full- and part-time employees.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

He works part-time at a local auto-parts store.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson