What does the Latin phrase 'tempus fugit' mean in English?

When translated into English, the Latin phrase 'tempus fugit' means "time flies" or "time flees". The expression paraphrases the Ancient Roman poet Virgil who used the phrase 'Sed fugit interea, fugit inreparabile tempus' in his poem 'Georgics' (BC 29). This translates as "but time meanwhile is flying, flying beyond recall."

The Latin phrase is often used as a motto, particularly on sundials and clocks. On occasion, it has also been used on gravestones. In speech, it is used as an admonition that someone is wasting time, or as a lamentation about getting older.

The term ‘tempus fugit’ is usually pronounced "tem-pes foo-git". Over time, other terms have developed from the original Latin phrase, for example, 'tempus fugit, aeternitas manet' (time flees, eternity remains) and 'tempus fugit velut umbra' ( time flees like a shadow).