Explanation at your level:
You work a part-time job. This means you do not work all day. You work a little bit. It is good for students.
A part-time job is a job with fewer hours. You might work 20 hours a week instead of 40. Many people have part-time work to save money.
When someone is employed on a part-time basis, they spend less time at the office than full-time staff. This flexibility allows people to balance their personal lives and professional duties more effectively.
The term part-time denotes a specific employment status where the contract stipulates a reduced number of working hours. It is often contrasted with 'full-time' positions, which usually offer more comprehensive benefits packages.
In the contemporary labor market, the part-time model has become increasingly prevalent, particularly within the gig economy. Employers often utilize part-time labor to manage overhead costs while maintaining operational agility in fluctuating markets.
Historically, the part-time designation was a byproduct of standardized labor regulations. Today, it encompasses a spectrum of arrangements, from precarious 'zero-hour' contracts to professional 'job-sharing' roles, reflecting the complex evolution of the modern workplace.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Part-time means working fewer than full-time hours.
- Use a hyphen when it is an adjective.
- Commonly used for students and flexible work.
- The opposite is full-time.
The term part-time describes a work schedule that is shorter than the standard 40-hour work week. It is a flexible way to earn money while keeping your schedule open for other important activities.
Many people choose part-time jobs because they are students, parents, or have side projects they are passionate about. It is a great way to gain experience without the burnout of a full-time career.
The term part-time originated from the English language during the Industrial Revolution. As labor laws began to define the standard work day, the concept of part-time emerged to describe those who worked only a portion of that defined time.
It evolved from the combination of 'part' (a portion) and 'time' (the duration of work). Over the decades, it has become a standard term in global labor markets, reflecting the shift toward flexible working arrangements.
You will often hear part-time used as an adjective, such as in 'a part-time job' or 'a part-time student.' It is used in both casual conversations and formal business settings.
Common collocations include part-time worker, part-time basis, and part-time employee. It is a neutral, descriptive term used across all professional industries.
While 'part-time' is a literal term, it is often used in expressions like part-time hobbyist (someone who does something occasionally) or part-time gig (a short-term job).
- Working part-time: Doing a job for fewer hours.
- Part-time basis: An arrangement for limited hours.
- Moonlighting: Often used when someone has a part-time job in addition to a full-time one.
- Side hustle: A modern way to refer to part-time income streams.
- Part-timer: A noun used to describe a person working these hours.
In English, part-time is usually hyphenated when used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., 'a part-time job'). When used after a verb, the hyphen is sometimes omitted, though keeping it is safer.
The pronunciation is /ˌpɑːrtˈtaɪm/ in American English. It rhymes with 'start time' or 'heart chime'. Stress is typically placed on the 'time' part of the word.
Fun Fact
It became a common term during the rise of the 40-hour work week.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'r' sound, long 'a'
Stronger 'r' sound
Common Errors
- Missing the hyphen sound
- Misplacing stress
- Pronouncing 'part' like 'pat'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy
Very easy
Very easy
Very easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Hyphenation of Adjectives
part-time job
Adverbial usage
I work part-time
Compound Nouns
part-timer
Examples by Level
I have a part-time job.
I / have / a / part-time / job
Adjective before noun
She works part-time.
She / works / part-time
Adverbial usage
Is it part-time?
Is / it / part-time
Question structure
He is a part-timer.
He / is / a / part-timer
Noun usage
I want part-time work.
I / want / part-time / work
Noun phrase
They work part-time.
They / work / part-time
Plural subject
Part-time is good.
Part-time / is / good
Subject usage
Not full-time, part-time.
Not / full-time / part-time
Antonym usage
I study and work part-time.
She is looking for a part-time position.
He enjoys his part-time schedule.
Many students work part-time jobs.
The store needs a part-time clerk.
Is this a full-time or part-time role?
I started a part-time job yesterday.
Working part-time helps me save money.
She balances her studies with a part-time job.
The company offers part-time employment options.
He prefers part-time work for the flexibility.
Part-time workers are eligible for some benefits.
I am currently employed on a part-time basis.
The position is strictly part-time.
Finding a part-time job can be competitive.
She has been a part-time teacher for years.
The contract specifies a part-time commitment of 20 hours.
Many professionals are transitioning to part-time roles.
Part-time work is often seen as a stepping stone.
He manages his startup alongside a part-time job.
The firm is downsizing to part-time contracts.
She negotiated a part-time arrangement with her boss.
Part-time staff are invited to the meeting.
The shift from full-time to part-time was difficult.
The gig economy has redefined the traditional part-time paradigm.
She maintains a part-time consultancy role.
The policy change affects all part-time personnel.
He advocates for better rights for part-time workers.
The part-time nature of the role limits career progression.
They are restructuring the department to include part-time slots.
Part-time labor is essential for seasonal retail.
The legal definition of part-time varies by region.
The proliferation of part-time employment reflects broader economic shifts.
She holds a part-time professorship at the university.
The structural integration of part-time staff is a priority.
His part-time status precludes him from the pension scheme.
The nuance of part-time labor laws is complex.
Part-time work remains a contentious issue in labor unions.
The company utilizes part-time labor to mitigate risk.
She thrives in her part-time capacity as a researcher.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"part-time gig"
A casual or short-term job.
It's just a part-time gig for now.
casual"part-timer"
A person who works part-time.
He is a reliable part-timer.
neutral"moonlighting"
Working a second job.
She is moonlighting as a waiter.
informal"side hustle"
A secondary source of income.
My side hustle is photography.
casual"on the side"
Doing something in addition to main work.
I do tutoring on the side.
neutral"temping"
Working in temporary roles.
She is temping at the office.
casualEasily Confused
They are opposites.
Hours worked.
Full-time is 40 hours; part-time is less.
Both imply non-permanent.
Temporary refers to time, part-time to hours.
A temporary job can be full-time.
Both are flexible.
Casual often means irregular.
Part-time is usually fixed hours.
Both are non-standard.
Freelance is self-employed.
Part-time is usually for an employer.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + work + part-time
I work part-time.
Subject + have + a + part-time + job
She has a part-time job.
Subject + is + a + part-time + student
He is a part-time student.
Subject + is + employed + on + a + part-time + basis
They are employed on a part-time basis.
The + part-time + role + requires...
The part-time role requires skills.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Use a hyphen when it acts as an adjective.
It is an adjective, it does not pluralize.
Adverbial phrase order.
Needs a noun after the adjective.
Do not hyphenate the noun.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a clock with only half the numbers.
Native Usage
Use it to explain your schedule.
Cultural Insight
Part-time is vital for students.
Grammar Shortcut
Hyphenate before the noun!
Say It Right
Stress the 'time'.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'part-times'.
Did You Know?
It emerged from industrial labor laws.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences about your day.
Context
Use in professional emails.
Rule
Adjective + Noun = Hyphen.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Part (a piece) + Time (the clock) = A piece of the clock.
Visual Association
A clock where only half the face is colored.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe your ideal part-time job.
Word Origin
English
Original meaning: A portion of the time.
Cultural Context
None, standard professional term.
Used ubiquitously in job listings and casual conversation.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- I work part-time
- Part-time staff
- Part-time contract
At school
- Part-time student
- Part-time course
- Part-time study
Job hunting
- Seeking part-time work
- Part-time position
- Part-time opening
Business
- Part-time basis
- Part-time personnel
- Part-time policy
Conversation Starters
"Do you prefer part-time or full-time work?"
"Have you ever had a part-time job?"
"What are the benefits of part-time work?"
"Is it easy to find part-time work in your city?"
"Would you study part-time?"
Journal Prompts
Describe your first part-time job.
Why might someone choose to work part-time?
How does part-time work affect your life balance?
What would be your ideal part-time job?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsUse a hyphen when it is an adjective before a noun.
Yes, it means taking fewer classes.
Usually, as you work fewer hours.
No, it is an adjective or adverb.
Full-time.
Yes, this is common.
No, it is a standard noun.
It varies, but usually under 35.
Test Yourself
I work ___ at the library.
Part-time is the correct adverbial phrase.
What is a part-time job?
It refers to reduced hours.
Part-time is always a noun.
It is usually an adjective.
Word
Meaning
These are opposites.
I have a part-time job.
She is employed on a ___ basis.
The phrase is 'on a part-time basis'.
Which word is an antonym?
Full-time is the direct opposite.
Part-time work is always low paying.
It depends on the industry.
The shift to part-time was difficult.
He holds a ___ position.
Correct hyphenation is required.
Score: /10
Summary
Part-time work is a flexible way to manage your schedule by working fewer hours than a standard full-time job.
- Part-time means working fewer than full-time hours.
- Use a hyphen when it is an adjective.
- Commonly used for students and flexible work.
- The opposite is full-time.
Memory Palace
Imagine a clock with only half the numbers.
Native Usage
Use it to explain your schedule.
Cultural Insight
Part-time is vital for students.
Grammar Shortcut
Hyphenate before the noun!
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More work words
주 5일제
A2A system where one works five days a week, typically Monday to Friday.
결근
A2Absence from work; not being present at work.
결근하다
A2To be absent from work.
추상적이다
A2To be abstract.
출입증
A2ID card, access card.
회계
B1The systematic recording and reporting of financial transactions.
경리
A2Accounting or bookkeeping, managing financial records.
업적
B1A notable achievement or accomplishment.
적극적이다
A2To be active, to be proactive.
적극적으로
B1In an active, proactive, or enthusiastic manner.
