O'CLOCK Definition & Meaning

o'clock

[uh-klok]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

of, by, or according to the clock (used in specifying the hour of the day).
It is now 4 o'clock.
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

/ əˈ��ɒ�� /

adverb

used after a number from one to twelve to indicate the hour of the day or night
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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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of o'clock¹

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

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of o'clock¹

C18: abbreviation for of the clock

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It's nine o'clock on a bitterly cold Monday evening and as temperatures dip below freezing, we are heading out with the Op Boss and Night Light police teams.

From

"When you send your child out to school, you send them out with trust that they will come home to you at three o'clock, but they may not," she said.

From

"That was at five o'clock in the morning. Then it was my job to call the rest of the family and tell everybody the news. Those early days when Kevin passed were very, very difficult."

From

Can I afford to knock off work at three o'clock in the afternoon to pick up the kids from school?

From

"We have had children who have got themselves in a right state because they take their phones to their bedrooms and are sending messages at three o'clock in the morning," she said.

From

ockodols Ocmulgee

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