Language Research

year · noun

/jɪər/Full view

Word family

Nouns: year

Adjectives: yearly

Adverbs: yearly

year (TWELVE MONTHS)

A1 C a period of twelve months, especially from January 1st to December 31st

Dictionary examples:

Elaine worked in Italy for two years.

2006 was one of the worst years of my life.

last/next year

He joined the company a year ago.

This tree keeps its leaves all (the) year (round).

Learner example:

She [came] from Pakistan two years ago. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Urdu)

be ... years old

A1 to be a particular age

Dictionary example:

Her son is six years old.

Learner example:

He is 53 years old [and] he live[s] in Madeira. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Lingala)

year (PERIOD OF STUDY)

A2 C the part of the year, in a school or university, during which courses are taught

Dictionary examples:

the school/college year

Emma's now in her final/first/second year at Manchester University.

Learner example:

The class is ev[e]ry Friday until the end of the school year. (Key English Test; A2; Croatian)

for years

B1 for a long time

Dictionary example:

Roz and I have been going there for years.

Learner example:

I had not seen him for years. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Hungarian)

10/20, etc. years sb's junior

C2 10/20, etc. years younger than someone

Dictionary example:

My wife is 8 years my junior.

Learner example:

I have a sister four years my junior and in my opinion we have no reason to complain. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)