period

A length of time during which something happens or a particular situation exists.

• We waited for a short period.
• The shop closed during a period of heavy rain.
• Sales grew over a period of three years.

How to use it: a period of something (There was a period of silence.); over/for a period of + time (She worked abroad for a period of six months.)

Similar words: time, interval, spell

Common phrases: short period, period of time, over a period

The dot used at the end of a sentence or in some shortened words.

• Put a period after this sentence.
• You forgot the period at the end.
• Some abbreviations have periods after each letter.

Similar words: full stop

Common phrases: a period, period at end, use a period

The days when blood leaves the body through the vagina as part of the monthly cycle.

• My period started yesterday.
• She has painful periods every month.
• Stress can sometimes make your period late.

Similar words: menstruation

Common phrases: have a period, miss a period, heavy period, on your period

A part of an artist’s or writer’s working life with a particular style or main interest.

• These paintings belong to her early period.
• He wrote mostly poems during that period of his career.
• The museum displays works from the artist’s final period.

How to use it: a period in/of someone’s career (These poems come from an early period in her career.)

Similar words: phase, stage

Common phrases: early period, creative period, blue period

Showing or copying the clothes, buildings, and way of life of a time in the past.

• We watched a period drama.
• The actors wore beautiful period costumes.
• This period film is set in eighteenth-century France.

Similar words: historical

Common phrases: period drama, period piece, period costumes

Belonging to or made in a particular time in the past.

• The house has period windows.
• They restored the rooms with original period furniture.
• We admired the building’s beautiful period features.

Similar words: historic

Common phrases: period furniture, period features, period windows

Used to say that a decision is final and you will not discuss it further.

• You are staying home, period.
• We will not sell the house, period.
• I said no, period.

Similar words: full stop, end of story

Common phrases: no period, end here period

Used to emphasize that a statement is completely true, with nothing added or left out.

• She is the best, period.
• Everyone deserves respect, period.
• This is our finest work, period.

Similar words: full stop

Common phrases: best period, only one period