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year

year

∞ 1.0
Twelve months or the time a planet takes to go around the sun
  • noun
  • /jɪr/
: año
  • There will be a batch coming out this year, but it goes really quickly.
  • years ago
  • years old
  • last year

So let's say my goal next year is to write a book.

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Examples

  • Then I came back, you know about a year later manager.

  • So far, even the Arab uprisings this year have failed to change the situation.

    Academic text (2011)
  • So I took three full years of getting that.

  • In, say, three years, what would this be worth to me?

  • So let's say my goal next year is to write a book.

  • It's been an interesting year here in Harvard Square.

  • Every year we're like, this next year, that'll save us.

  • It's the busiest time of the year every year.

  • I spent an entire year with Maddie.

  • In 2022, the year marked a turning point in environmental policies.

Synonyms

calendar year
vsyear
16 1.0

A period of twelve months that starts on January 1 and ends on December 31

refers to any twelve month period not tied to set start and end dates
solar year
vsyear
2 3.7

The time it takes the Earth to go once around the Sun, about 365 days

is the general orbital idea not tied to vernal equinox measurement
twelvemonth
vsyear
  • Archaic
2 8.1

A period of twelve months equal to one year

is the standard general label for that same span rather than the specific word
orbit period
vsyear
  • Specialized
1 6.0

The time an object takes to go once around a planet or star

applies to planets circling the sun specifically rather than any orbiting object
astronomical year
vsyear
  • Specialized
1 5.8

The time the Earth takes to go once around the Sun from one spring equinox to the next

is the general orbital definition not tied to equinox-based measurement
sidereal year
vsyear
  • Specialized
1 9.5

The time Earth takes to go around the Sun measured by the stars

uses the planet's orbit time around the sun not stars for reference
tropical year
vsyear
  • Specialized
1 6.7

Time Earth takes to go around the Sun from one spring equinox to the next

focuses on orbital duration generally not on returning to equinox points
equinoctial year
vsyear
  • Specialized
1 8.6

The time Earth takes to go from one spring equinox to the next, about 365.24 days

is the basic orbital notion without the equinox event reference
anomalistic year
vsyear
  • Specialized
9.9

Time the Earth takes to go from one closest point to the Sun to the next closest point

tracks general orbital period rather than passages between closest approach points

Idioms

9 3.8

Happens every year for many years without change

For a very long time

Compounds

∞ 1.0

The current calendar year from January 1 to December 31

301 1.0

Happens once every year

259 1.0

A part of the year when the weather and daily life are similar

250 1.0

A person or thing that is five years old

235 1.0

The time at the start of a calendar year

228 1.3

A person, animal, or thing that is three years old

211 1.4

A child, animal, or thing that is two years old

204 3.0

A person who started school, college, or a job this year

202 1.0

A person, animal, or thing that is four years old

184 1.0

How often something happens in one year, often for an amount of money

153 1.0

A child or animal that is one year old

light year
  • Specialized
121 5.0

The distance light travels in one year in space, about 9.46 trillion kilometers

105 1.0

The time of year when schools are open and have classes

78 3.0

Happening or available all year

fiscal year
  • Specialized
77 3.9

A twelve-month period that governments or companies use for money and budgets, not always matching the calendar year

light-year
  • Specialized
62 4.9

The distance light travels in one year

47 2.4

A student in their second year at high school or university

36 3.9

A horse that is three years old and races in that age group

34 3.0

About the third year of a school or college course

26 2.7

The time at the end of the year when businesses check accounts or finish activities

22 3.2

Happening at the end of a company's financial year

21 3.1

About the fourth and last year of high school or college

16 1.0

A period of twelve months that starts on January 1 and ends on December 31

light year
  • Informal
13 4.1

A very large gap in progress or quality

13 2.3

The period each year when schools or universities hold classes

off year
  • Literature
10 5.1

A year with no major national elections between big election years

9 1.8

A year that happens every four years and has 366 days

6 8.2

The year in the Christian calendar used when writing dates like AD 1865

5 2.7

A period of five years for a contract or other agreement

4 3.0

A period of twelve months that businesses or governments use to record money and pay taxes

3 7.2

A period of one year and one day used in law and tradition

2 3.7

The time it takes the Earth to go once around the Sun, about 365 days

A solemn Jewish festival that marks the start of the year with prayers and the blowing of a horn

1 6.0

A year when production or success is lower than usual

lunar year
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A year of 12 moon months that lasts about 354 days

A year away from work for rest, study, or travel

1 5.1

A yearly cycle of seasons and special days that Christians observe, like Christmas and Easter

1 1.3

A year with 365 days and no extra day in February

A yearly cycle of seasons and festivals in the Christian church that includes Advent and Easter

great year
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A very long period of about 25,800 years for Earth's axis to slowly turn once

Holy Year
  • Formal
1 8.6

A special Catholic year when people can receive forgiveness and special blessings

1 3.4

A horse that is three years old and usually races only against others of the same age

year of grace
  • Archaic
1 9.5

A year counted since the birth of Jesus, used in formal or historical dates

A large noisy insect in North America that appears in big groups about every 17 years

astronomical year
  • Specialized
1 5.8

The time the Earth takes to go once around the Sun from one spring equinox to the next

A horse that is two years old often runs in races only for that age

sidereal year
  • Specialized
1 9.5

The time Earth takes to go around the Sun measured by the stars

tropical year
  • Specialized
1 6.7

Time Earth takes to go around the Sun from one spring equinox to the next

1 1.4

The year that starts on January 1 and ends on December 31 in the Gregorian calendar

Platonic year
  • Specialized
1 9.9

About 25,800 years when Earth's axis slowly turns and moves the seasons

fourscore year
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Eighty years in old language

equinoctial year
  • Specialized
1 8.6

The time Earth takes to go from one spring equinox to the next, about 365.24 days

intercalary year
  • Specialized
1 8.3

A year with an extra day added to February to keep the dates matching the seasons

bissextile year
  • Archaic
9.3

A year with an extra day in February that has 366 days

anomalistic year
  • Specialized
9.9

Time the Earth takes to go from one closest point to the Sun to the next closest point

A year when gardens grow more vegetables and fruits than usual

9.9

A very long time ago that people can remember

How Long

millennium
151 5.3
baktun
  • Specialized
1 9.9
decade
∞ 1.0
year
∞ 1.0
month
∞ 1.0
day
∞ 1.0
hour
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

year singular
years plural

Etymology

The word year comes from the old English word ġēar, which meant 'season' or 'a full turn of nature'. So a planet's year is one full trip or turn around the sun, which matches the old idea of a full cycle of seasons.