# o'clock

CEFR A1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/oclock
Updated: 2026-05-03

## Definition

used after a number from one to twelve to say exactly what hour it is. You only use this when the time is exactly on the hour, with no extra minutes.

For teachers: used after a cardinal number to specify the hour of the day. Functions as a post-modifier to a numeral in time expressions.

## Examples

- The meeting starts at nine o'clock tomorrow morning.
- I usually finish my shift at five o'clock and head straight to the gym.
- The historic tower bell rings loudly every day at twelve o'clock, signaling the start of the lunch hour for the entire village.

## Pitfalls

- Not "It is 10:30 o'clock." but "It is 10:30." — O'clock is only used for exact hours, not when minutes are specified.

## Usage notes

- Only follows numbers 1 through 12; never used with 'a.m.', 'p.m.', or when minutes are included.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.