split-second
/ˌsplɪtˈsɛkənd/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.61 in modern English
16
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
2
Syllables
10
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A stopwatch with two second hands, each of which may be stopped separately to time the intervals of a race by a sportsperson, or to time more than one sportsperson.
noun
A fraction of a second; hence (figurative, also attributive) a very short time period; an instant, a moment.
Example Sentences
- "It's very dangerous, though, when a man thinks for a split second that he understands death."
- "I was in the gutter, sitting my bike, willing them to die, […] or otherwise obliterated because this demanded split-second timing."
- "It appears [Simon] Cowell has been taking notes from South Korea, as his next talent show Walk The Line, coming later this year, has also been game-ified: it will see singers perform, then have to make the split-second decision of whether to take a cash prize or risk advancing in the competition instead."
Etymology
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌsplɪtˈsɛkənd/
- British English: /ˌsplɪtˈsɛk(ə)nd/