Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

clockwise

/ˈklɒkwaɪz/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.20 in modern English

Syllables: clock-wise
IPA: /ˈklɒkwaɪz/

20

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

In a curve or twist corresponding to the movement of the hands of a clock.

adj

Moving clockwise; having rotary motion in the manner of a clock.

Example Sentences

"Turn the handle clockwise to open it."
"The main — or cooking — kitchen is an inhumanly immaculate expanse of burner rings and countertops where, according to tradition, the stations move clockwise from canapé to entremetier."
"In the southern hemisphere the flow of air around a low-pressure system is clockwise."
"The clockwise beating of cilia results in a net flow of extraembryonic fluid leftwards […]"

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Celtic *klokkosder. Early Medieval Latin cloccader. Old Northern French cloquebor. Old Dutch *klokka Middle Dutch clockebor. Middle English clokke English clock Proto-Indo-European *weyd- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *wéydos Proto-Indo-European *weyd-s-ós Proto-Germanic *wīsaz Proto-Germanic *-wīsaz Proto-West Germanic *-wīs Old English -wīs Middle English -wis English -wise English clockwise From clock + -wise.

Derived Forms

clockwisely clockwiseness contraclockwise

Synonyms

CW dextrorotatory sunwise deasil

Antonyms

ACW anticlockwise CCW counterclockwise counter-clockwise withershins widdershins

Questions

How do you pronounce clockwise?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈklɒkwaɪz/.
What does clockwise mean?: In a curve or twist corresponding to the movement of the hands of a clock.
Where does clockwise come from?: Etymology tree Proto-Celtic *klokkosder. Early Medieval Latin cloccader. Old Northern French cloquebor. Old Dutch *klokka Middle Dutch clockebor. Middle English clokke English clock Proto-Indo-European *weyd- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *wéydos Proto-Indo-European *weyd-s-ós Proto-Germanic *wīsaz Proto-Germanic *-wīsaz Proto-West Germanic *-wīs Old English -wīs Middle English -wis English -wise English clockwise From clock + -wise.

How to pronounce clockwise

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “clockwise”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈklɒkwaɪz/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “clockwise”.
Repeat and practice — Say “clockwise” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.