counterclockwise

American  

[koun-ter-klok-wahyz] / ˌkaʊn tərˈklɒkˌwaɪz /

adjective

1. in a direction opposite to that of the normal rotation of the hands of a clock; not clockwise.

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counterclockwise British  

/ ˌkaʊntəˈklɒkˌwaɪz /

adverb

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): anticlockwise.  in the opposite direction to the rotation of the hands of a clock

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Etymology

Origin of counterclockwise

First recorded in 1885–90; counter- + clockwise

Compare meaning

How does counterclockwise compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• clockwise vs. counterclockwise

Example Sentences

When a small portion of GldJ is removed, the motor reverses its rotation from counterclockwise to clockwise.

From Science Daily

These vortices form in pairs that rotate in opposite directions, with one spinning clockwise and the other counterclockwise.

From Science Daily

"But, in the Sagittarius Arm, it's going counterclockwise. We didn't understand how the transition occurred. Then one day, Anna brought in some data, and I went, 'O.M.G., the reversal's diagonal!'"

From Science Daily

In a storm like this, the winds move counterclockwise, Bassill added.

From The Wall Street Journal

I have her spin counterclockwise as I unwind the ribbons.

From Literature

Related Words

• revolving