B1 2K

O’clock

🇬🇧 UK //əˈklɒk// 🇺🇸 US //əˈklɑːk//

Meaning of O’clock

A term used to indicate a specific hour.

In simple words: Used to tell the time.

O’clock in a sentence

• The meeting starts at five o'clock.
• Let's meet at three o'clock.
• It’s exactly one o'clock now!

How to use O’clock

Use 'o'clock' to indicate whole hours. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English, but avoid in formal documents.

Grammar pattern

o'clock + time

Memory hint

Think of 'o' as the start of a circle, representing the full hour.

Related words

Collocations with O’clock

• at five o'clock
• at two o'clock
• three o'clock sharp
• one o'clock in the afternoon

Synonyms for O’clock

• hour
• time

Opposites of O’clock

• half past
• quarter past
• quarter to

Common mistakes with O’clock

• Omitting 'o' in informal speech ('clock' instead of 'o'clock')
• Using 'o'clock' with minutes (e.g., 'two o'clock and fifteen')
• Confusing it with 'o' for informal time telling (e.g., 'It's 2 o').

Frequently asked questions about O’clock

What does O’clock mean?

Used to tell the time.

What is the definition of O’clock?

A term used to indicate a specific hour.

How do you use O’clock in a sentence?

The meeting starts at five o'clock.

Can you give another example of O’clock?

Let's meet at three o'clock.

What are synonyms for O’clock?

Common alternatives include hour, time.

What is the opposite of O’clock?

Opposite meanings include half past, quarter past, quarter to.

What words go with O’clock?

It commonly pairs with at five o'clock, at two o'clock, three o'clock sharp, one o'clock in the afternoon.

What are common mistakes when using O’clock?

Omitting 'o' in informal speech ('clock' instead of 'o'clock') Using 'o'clock' with minutes (e.g., 'two o'clock and fifteen') Confusing it with 'o' for informal time telling (e.g., 'It's 2 o').

How do you pronounce O’clock?

US: //əˈklɑːk//, UK: //əˈklɒk//. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use O’clock?

Use 'o'clock' to indicate whole hours. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English, but avoid in formal documents.

What CEFR level is O’clock?

"O’clock" is at B1 level on the CEFR scale.