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.

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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

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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

“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

She said it was "5 or 6 o'clock in the morning by the time we were getting home - it was mad!"

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

I whispered as I brought my rod to the 2 o’clock position.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026

"I found my voice at about two o'clock in the morning in a bar in Brussels."

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026

On a pleasant June evening, a bit after five o’clock, Lemuel knocked at the Grangers’ front door.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock