Synonyms

counterclockwise

American

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

adjective

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

counterclockwise British

/ ˌkaʊntəˈklɒkˌwaɪz /

adverb

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

"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 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

Vocabulary lists containing counterclockwise

Middle School Geometry, List 1

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Geometry - Middle School

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Geometry (Base List)

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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

On Day 1, you play it clockwise; on Day 2, counterclockwise.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 26, 2025

The dance opens with Abraham in a running solo, winding around the stage in counterclockwise circles.

From New York Times • Dec. 4, 2024

In the new image, however, the brightest part of a ring surrounding the black hole has shifted counterclockwise by about 30°.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 17, 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