o'clock

American  

[uh-klok] / əˈklɒk /

adverb

1. of, by, or according to the clock (used in specifying the hour of the day).

   It is now 4 o'clock.

2. according to a method for indicating relative position whereby a plane in space is considered to be numbered as a clock's face, with 12 o'clock considered as directly ahead in horizontal position or straight up in vertical position.

---

o'clock British  

/ əˈklɒk /

adverb

1. used after a number from one to twelve to indicate the hour of the day or night

2. used after a number to indicate direction or position relative to the observer, twelve o'clock being directly ahead or overhead and other positions being obtained by comparisons with a clock face

---

Etymology

Origin of o'clock

First recorded in 1710–20; from o', a reduced form of of; see o' + clock ¹ ( def. )

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

o'clock

It was just after 5 o’clock in the morning on a dreary day, and fortunately, no ships were nearby.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 19, 2026

"The one I filmed the other day was at six o'clock and they were coming back around at nine," he said.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

He’d go to bed probably at midnight, one o’clock, and he’s up taking the kids to school, he’s mountain biking, and he’s ready to roll.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

“But we also like to deposit them back at their parents’ house at 7 o’clock, so we can be in bed to read at 8.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

Then Karly turned back to me and said, ‘Yeah. Eleven o’clock Saturday morning at the pool.’

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---