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Synonyms

clockwise

American  
[klok-wahyz] / ˈklɒkˌwaɪz /

adverb

  1. in the direction of the rotation of the hands of a clock as viewed from the front or above; circularly to the right from a point taken as the top.


adjective

  1. directed clockwise.

    a clockwise movement.

clockwise British  
/ ˈklɒkˌwaɪz /

adverb

  1. in the direction that the hands of a clock rotate; from top to bottom towards the right when seen from the front

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of clockwise

First recorded in 1885–90; clock 1 + -wise

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Vocabulary lists containing clockwise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Originating in the Atlantic Ocean's Sargasso Sea, sargassum was pushed by clockwise currents into nutrient-rich waters where it has exploded in growth.

From Barron's Jul. 30, 2026

Mom Priscilla Guzman, clockwise, Dad Javier Gutierrez and sons Julian and Javier Gutierrez enjoy the vibe of vintage clothing.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 3, 2026

Visitors twirling clockwise for luck have left a small crater on the bull's "lucky spot".

From BBC May 29, 2026

Moving clockwise from the lower right, our eye takes in the ducks, the cattle, the human trio, the driver, the hayricks and the harvesters.

From The Wall Street Journal May 1, 2026

I scraped all the leftovers into the trash and focused on doing the dishes, scrubbing each plate in clockwise circles.

From "The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine

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