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

/ əˈklɒk /

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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Origin of o'clock¹

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

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Origin of o'clock¹

C18: abbreviation for of the clock

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From three oclock in the afternoon—when we returned from school—until bedtime, we were left to our own resources.

Ladies and gentlemen, he falteringly said, Signor Diotti left his hotel at seven oclock and was driven to the Academy.

It was nearly two oclock; Sanders showed him to his room and then returned down stairs to see that everything was snug and secure.

At six oclock that evening a jury was impaneled, and two hours later its verdict was reported.

At three oclock we take our way to the theatre, which stands on a little hill rather distant from the town.

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