A1noun1K

Hour

UK /["/ˈaʊə(r)/"]/US /["/ˈaʊər/"]/

Definition

60 minutes; one of the 24 parts that a day is divided into

In simple words: A period of 60 minutes.

Examples

  • The meeting will start in one hour.
  • Can you lend me an hour of your time?
  • We studied for three hours yesterday.
  • The store opens at 9 AM and closes in one hour.
  • He ran a mile in less than an hour.
  • An hour ago, I finished my work.
  • They spent the hour discussing their plans.
  • The lecture will last for two hours.

Usage notes

Use 'hour' to talk about time duration. It's appropriate in all contexts when referring to time, but avoid using it in very casual speech for specific times, where 'o'clock' may be preferred.

Grammar pattern

countable noun

Memory hint

Think of the phrase 'time flies in an hour' to remember it measures time.

Collocations

  • full
  • solid
  • contact
  • take
  • spend
  • waste
  • go by
  • pass
  • by the hour
  • for an hour
  • in an hour
  • half an hour
  • hour after hour
  • in an hour’s time
  • lunch
  • peak
  • rush
  • spend
  • hour of
  • office
  • opening
  • visiting
  • work
  • keep
  • after hour
  • out of hour
  • darkest
  • finest
  • antisocial
  • come
  • between the hours of
  • hour of
  • your hour of need
  • chime
  • strike
  • on the hour
  • past the hour
  • to the hour

Synonyms

  • 60 minutes
  • time period
  • session

Antonyms

  • minute
  • second

Common mistakes

  • 'Hour' is often confused with 'hourly' when describing frequency.
  • Learners may forget to use a singular form for 'one hour' and might incorrectly say 'one hours'.