What does the time glass mean on snapchat Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/what ˈdɒs θə ˈtaɪm ɡlɑs mɪn ɒn ˈsnæptːtʃ/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A feature on the social media platform Snapchat that allows users to view how long it has been since their last interaction (e.g. chat, video call) with another user.

Examples

• The time glass on our Snapchat showed that it had been 12 hours since our last conversation.
• I noticed that my friend’s time glass was still green after our group video call.

Synonyms

• Last Seen
• Last Active

Antonyms

• Offline
• Inactive

Additional Information

The time glass is a feature that indicates the amount of time since a user was last active on Snapchat, allowing others to quickly determine whether they are currently online or not. This can be helpful for initiating conversations or deciding whether to send a message. The time glass is often displayed alongside a user’s profile pic on the chat screen, and its color may change depending on the user’s activity status, such as going from green to grey when the user is offline.

Snapchat’s algorithm takes into account various factors, including a user’s usage patterns and interactions with others, to determine the time glass duration. This feature has become an integral part of the Snapchat experience, enabling users to visualize and manage their social interactions more effectively.

Etymology

The term “time glass” is believed to have originated from the classic concept of a glass containing minutes or hours, which is commonly used to measure time. The name “time glass” aptly describes the Snapchat feature’s function of showing the time elapsed since a user’s last activity.

Usage Notes

When referring to a user’s time glass, make sure to specify whether you mean the elapsed time since their last interaction or their current online status. For instance, say “I haven’t seen John’s time glass in hours” instead of “John’s time glass is hours old”. This clarifies the context and avoids confusion.

Cultural References

The time glass has appeared in various memes and videos on social media, often being used humorously to express concerns about a user’s online activity or lack thereof. This playful usage has contributed to the feature’s widespread recognition and popularity.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Out of sight, out of mind” (referring to the time glass’s ability to indicate a user’s online status)
• “Offline but not forgotten” (jokingly used to describe a user who is offline but still has a long time glass duration)

Related Words or Phrases

• Last Active Time
• Online Status
• Offline Mode

Collocations

• Time glass duration
• Last seen on Snapchat
• Offline but still visible on time glass

Frequency of Use

The time glass is a common feature on Snapchat, with millions of users relying on it daily to manage their social interactions. Its frequency of use has increased over the years, reflecting the growing importance of online presence and communication in modern life.

Common Misspellings

• Time Glace
• Time Glasss
• Time Gass