counterclockwise
Americanadjective
adverb
Etymology
Origin of counterclockwise
Compare meaning
How does counterclockwise compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Vocabulary lists containing counterclockwise
Middle School Geometry, List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Geometry - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Geometry (Base List)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
These vortices form in pairs that rotate in opposite directions, with one spinning clockwise and the other counterclockwise.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 7, 2026
In a storm like this, the winds move counterclockwise, Bassill added.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 23, 2026
The dance opens with Abraham in a running solo, winding around the stage in counterclockwise circles.
From New York Times ● Dec. 4, 2024
The animation below gives a sense of the storm’s motion, spinning counterclockwise and forming a classic cyclone as a jet of moisture flows from it over the West Coast.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2024
The deluge slowed, the clouds circled counterclockwise, and a flock of spotted sandpipers blew in from the coast.
From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
