time of day

American  

noun

1. a definite time as shown by a timepiece; the hour.

   Can you tell me the time of day?

2. Informal. a minimum of attention.

   He wouldn't even give her the time of day.

3. the current time; the present.

   The younger generation in this time of day encounters problems quite different from those of past generations.

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time of day Idioms  

1. The hour shown on a clock; also, a stage in any activity or period. For example, What time of day is the repairman coming? or This is hardly the time of day to ask for another installment when he's just turned one in. [Late 1500s] Also see not give someone the time of day.

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Etymology

Origin of time of day

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

That matters especially in places like the U.S., where electricity prices can vary widely by region and by time of day.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

And yet, on travel websites across the internet, writers provide jet-setters with terrifically specific guidance: what time of day to head out, what kind of shoes to wear, and where to score a deal.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2026

The cost to humanely euthanise a horse varies considerably depending on the method, time of day and location.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Some of the most successful restaurant turnarounds have come from winning a new time of day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

The taxi was driving through the streets of Bournemouth and this was the time of day when the pavements were crowded with holiday-makers all wandering about aimlessly with nothing to do.

From "The Witches" by Roald Dahl