sometime

[ suhm-tahym ]

adverb

1. at some indefinite or indeterminate point of time:

   He will arrive sometime next week.

2. at an indefinite future time:

   Come to see me sometime.

3. Archaic. sometimes; on some occasions.
4. Archaic. at one time; formerly.

adjective

1. having been formerly; former:

   The diplomat was a sometime professor of history at Oxford.

2. being so only at times or to some extent:

   Traveling so much, he could never be more than a sometime husband.

3. that cannot be depended upon regarding affections or loyalties:

   He was well rid of his sometime girlfriend.

sometime

/ ˈsʌmˌtaɪm /

adverb

1. at some unspecified point of time

adjective

1. prenominal having been at one time; former

   the sometime President

2. prenominal occasional; infrequent

Usage

The form sometime should not be used to refer to a fairly long period of time: he has been away for some time (not for sometime )

Spelling Note

The adverb sometime is written as one word: He promised to paint the garage sometime soon. The two-word form some time means “an unspecified interval or period of time”: It will take some time for the wounds to heal.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sometime¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; some, time

Example Sentences

The first public screening of Pathé film shorts took place sometime around 1903.

From The Daily Beast

On Christmas Day, sometime after dark, a hideous fire overtook the venue: 100 firefighters, 33 fire trucks, a four-alarm blaze.

From The Daily Beast

According to police sources, was believed to have visited New York City sometime last week.

From The Daily Beast

And Cervecería Legitima, yet another brewpub, is set to open in the city sometime in 2015.

From The Daily Beast

Tonkin said he expected Frein to be brought before a judge sometime on Friday, which happens to be Halloween.

From The Daily Beast

Even at his age he had ambitions, and expected that sometime he would, like his father, serve the king in some office.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a dangerous journey into this wonderful cave, but sometime Alila must go there, his father said.

From Project Gutenberg

These stems, with the refuse of other tobacco, are sometime used as filling for the commonest kind of cigars.

From Project Gutenberg

Miss Dory would say so, but, Mas'r Crompton, you'll fotch her back sometime to de ole place.

From Project Gutenberg

Let it suffice that what we are about to relate did happen, sometime or other within the present century.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• late
• once
• periodically
• someday