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Glite Dictionary
🛋️ A lazy worker ⏰ A time device
timeserver

timeserver

8.8
A person who does only the minimum at work and changes their views to please new leaders
  • noun
  • /ˈtaɪmˌsɜrvər/
  • Offensive
translation icon : trepa
  • But there were no job slots available, and the timeservers held on, waiting for the buyout offer (which they eventually received).

Examples

  • Many employees found him to be a timeserver who only met the minimum expectations of his work.

  • In a competitive workplace, being a timeserver can limit your career growth and opportunities.

  • Her reputation as a timeserver made it difficult for her to gain the trust of her colleagues.

Synonyms

clock watcher
vstimeserver
  • Informal
1 6.5

A person at work who watches the clock and wants to leave on time

prefers doing only required tasks to gain personal advantage

Antonyms

dedicated
153 3.9

Giving a lot of time and care to a job or cause

hard worker
33 1.3

A person who puts a lot of effort into their job or tasks

How Committed

dedicated
153 3.9
committed
79 4.0
dependable
47 2.3
timeserver
  • Offensive
8.8
clock watcher
  • Informal
1 6.5
shirker
1 8.0

Surface Forms

timeserver singular
timeservers plural

Morphology

timeserver = time + server (semi-transparent) = time + server

Formed by the clear components 'time' + 'server', but the idiomatic pejorative meaning 'someone doing the minimum or adapting for advantage' is not directly predictable from the parts for an average learner.

Etymology

Timeserver comes from the parts time and serve, meaning someone who 'serves the times' by changing to fit whatever is popular or in power. That's why a timeserver is a person who only does what keeps them safe or in favour.