time-saver
|time-sav-er|
🇺🇸
/ˈtaɪmˌseɪvər/
🇬🇧
/ˈtaɪmˌseɪvə/
saves time
Etymology
'time-saver' originates from Modern English, formed by the noun 'time' + the verb 'save' plus the agentive suffix '-er' (meaning 'one or that which performs the action'). 'Time' traces back to Old English 'tima'; 'save' comes via Old French 'sauver' from Latin 'salvāre'.
'time' derived from Old English 'tima'; 'save' came from Old French 'sauver' and Latin 'salvāre'. The compound 'time-saver' is a relatively recent, colloquial English coinage (20th century) combining these elements to name something that saves time.
Initially the component words referred separately to 'time' and 'to save'; over time the coined compound came to mean specifically 'something that saves time' and has been used broadly for devices, methods, and actions.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a thing, device, method, or person that reduces the amount of time needed to do something.
Using a dishwasher is a real time-saver when you have a big family.
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Noun 2
an action or technique (often quick or shortcut-like) that saves time in performing a task.
Learning keyboard shortcuts is a great time-saver for regular computer users.
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Last updated: 2025/09/25 23:44