anticlockwise
Anticlockwise means moving in the opposite direction to the hands of a clock.
Explanation at your level:
Imagine a clock. The hands go 1, 2, 3. That is clockwise. If you go the other way, 12, 11, 10, that is anticlockwise. It is just a direction. You can turn a lid anticlockwise to open a jar.
When you are giving directions, you might say, 'Walk anticlockwise around the park.' It means you are going in a circle, but not the way a clock goes. It is a very useful word in British English.
In technical or everyday contexts, anticlockwise describes a specific rotational movement. For instance, when you are fixing a bicycle or opening a bottle, you often need to turn a part anticlockwise to loosen it. It is the opposite of clockwise.
While anticlockwise is standard in the UK, be aware of regional variation. In North America, the term 'counterclockwise' is preferred. Using the wrong term won't cause a misunderstanding, but it marks your English as distinctly British.
The usage of anticlockwise extends beyond simple physical rotation. In academic or scientific discourse, it describes the orientation of vectors or the orbital motion of celestial bodies. It is a precise term that avoids ambiguity in descriptions of circular systems.
Etymologically, anticlockwise represents the modernization of directional language. It supplanted archaic terms like 'widdershins', which carried mystical connotations. Today, it serves as a neutral, highly functional descriptor in global English, though its usage remains a shibboleth for British-influenced linguistic patterns.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Means moving opposite to clock hands.
- Standard in British English.
- Opposite of clockwise.
- Often used for turning objects.
Hey there! Have you ever looked at a clock and noticed how the hands sweep around? That's the clockwise direction. Anticlockwise is simply the exact opposite of that.
Think of it as moving to the left instead of the right. Whether you are unscrewing a lid or turning a dial, if you are going against the standard flow of a clock, you are moving anticlockwise.
This word is super common in British English. If you travel to the UK, Australia, or New Zealand, you'll hear it all the time. It's a handy way to give directions or describe how to operate machinery!
The word anticlockwise is a classic example of a compound word. It combines the prefix anti-, which comes from Greek and means 'against' or 'opposite', with the noun clockwise.
The term clockwise itself only appeared in the mid-19th century, once clocks became common household items. Before that, people used terms like 'widdershins', which is a really cool, old Germanic word meaning 'contrary to the course of the sun'.
While 'widdershins' is mostly found in fairy tales and folklore now, anticlockwise became the standard, logical way to describe this direction in scientific and everyday language during the 20th century.
You will mostly use anticlockwise as an adverb or adjective. For example, you might say, 'Turn the screw anticlockwise to loosen it,' or 'The dancers moved in an anticlockwise circle.'
It is perfectly acceptable in both formal and casual settings. However, keep in mind that if you are speaking to someone from the United States, they will likely look at you with a bit of confusion and say, 'Oh, you mean counterclockwise?'
It's a great word for technical instructions, sports, and even describing the movement of planets or gears in a machine.
While there aren't many idioms using the word itself, the concept of moving against the grain is common. 1. Go against the clock: Trying to finish something before time runs out. 2. Turn back the clock: Trying to return to the past. 3. Beat the clock: Succeeding before a deadline. 4. Clocking in: Starting work. 5. Clocking out: Finishing work. Though these don't use 'anticlockwise', they share the clock theme!
Anticlockwise is an invariable word, meaning it doesn't change form. You don't pluralize it or change it based on the subject.
In British English, the IPA is /ˌæntiˈklɒkwaɪz/. The stress is usually on the third syllable, 'clock'. It rhymes with words like 'size', 'wise', and 'eyes'.
It is often used with verbs of motion like 'turn', 'rotate', 'spin', or 'move'. It functions as an adverb when describing how to do something and an adjective when describing the direction of a path.
Fun Fact
It replaced the older, more mystical word 'widdershins'.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'anti' + 'clock' + 'wise'.
Similar, but 'clock' sounds like 'clahk'.
Common Errors
- Misplacing the stress on 'anti'.
- Pronouncing 'wise' like 'wiss'.
- Adding an extra syllable.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Simple to use
Easy to pronounce
Clear sounds
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Adverbs of Direction
Turn left.
Compound Words
Clockwise.
Imperative Mood
Turn it!
Examples by Level
Turn the lid anticlockwise.
Turn the lid the other way.
Adverb of direction.
Go anticlockwise.
Go the other way.
Simple command.
It moves anticlockwise.
It goes the other way.
Present simple.
Not clockwise, anticlockwise.
Not this way, that way.
Contrast.
Look at the anticlockwise sign.
Look at the sign.
Adjective.
Run anticlockwise.
Run in a circle.
Imperative.
Spin it anticlockwise.
Spin it left.
Verb + adverb.
The wheel goes anticlockwise.
The wheel turns left.
Subject-verb.
Turn the dial anticlockwise slowly.
The dancers moved in an anticlockwise circle.
Is this screw turned anticlockwise?
Walk anticlockwise around the fountain.
The fan spins anticlockwise.
Please move the pieces anticlockwise.
He turned the key anticlockwise.
They walked anticlockwise to the exit.
To loosen the bolt, turn it anticlockwise.
The planets orbit the sun in an anticlockwise direction.
Follow the path in an anticlockwise loop.
She adjusted the knob anticlockwise.
The gears rotate anticlockwise.
The race track runs anticlockwise.
Turn the handle anticlockwise to open the door.
The hurricane spins anticlockwise in the north.
The mechanism is designed to operate anticlockwise.
Note that the motor rotates anticlockwise during startup.
The spiral pattern winds anticlockwise.
The instructions specify an anticlockwise rotation.
We need to adjust the settings anticlockwise.
The cyclone moves in an anticlockwise motion.
Ensure the valve is turned fully anticlockwise.
The dancers circled the stage in an anticlockwise formation.
The vortex exhibits a distinct anticlockwise rotation.
Geometric transformations often require anticlockwise orientation.
The experiment requires an anticlockwise adjustment of the laser.
The sequence follows an anticlockwise progression.
The celestial bodies appear to move anticlockwise from this vantage.
The software interface allows for anticlockwise image rotation.
The fluid dynamics model predicts an anticlockwise flow.
The architectural design follows an anticlockwise spiral.
The anticlockwise bias in the engine's torque is intentional.
The ancient ritual involved walking anticlockwise around the altar.
The anticlockwise movement of the hands is a deliberate design choice.
The astronomical data indicates an anticlockwise orbital path.
The anticlockwise aperture setting is standard for this lens.
The system's anticlockwise feedback loop stabilizes the pressure.
The anticlockwise orientation of the graph is non-standard.
The anticlockwise shift in the market trend was unexpected.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"go against the grain"
Doing something the hard or unusual way.
It goes against the grain to turn it that way.
casual"turn the tables"
Reverse a situation.
He turned the tables on his opponent.
neutral"in reverse"
Going backward.
The car is in reverse.
neutral"back to front"
The wrong way around.
You have your shirt on back to front.
casual"upside down"
Inverted.
The map is upside down.
neutral"out of sync"
Not aligned.
The music is out of sync.
neutralEasily Confused
They are opposites.
Direction of clock hands.
Clockwise is right, anticlockwise is left.
Same meaning.
Regional usage (US vs UK).
US uses counterclockwise.
Old synonym.
Archaic/mystical.
Don't use in business.
Similar direction.
General vs specific.
Leftward is general.
Sentence Patterns
Turn + [object] + anticlockwise
Turn the screw anticlockwise.
Move + in an + anticlockwise + direction
Move in an anticlockwise direction.
Rotate + anticlockwise
Rotate the dial anticlockwise.
Spin + anticlockwise
The wheel spins anticlockwise.
Follow + the + anticlockwise + path
Follow the anticlockwise path.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
7/10
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
Regional differences in English.
It is usually one word.
It describes how, not what.
They are opposites.
It sounds archaic.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a clock on your wall and see it spinning backward.
When to use
Use it when giving directions in the UK.
Regional check
If in the US, use 'counterclockwise' instead.
Adverb usage
It usually follows the verb, e.g., 'turn anticlockwise'.
Break it down
Anti-clock-wise.
Don't use two words
Keep it as one word.
Old word
Widdershins is the old word for this.
Practice
Practice turning bottle caps.
Context
Great for DIY instructions.
Adjective usage
Can also be an adjective: 'an anticlockwise turn'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Anti (against) + Clock + Wise (the way).
Visual Association
Imagine a clock running backward.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to unscrew a bottle cap anticlockwise today.
Wortherkunft
English
Original meaning: Against the clock
Kultureller Kontext
None, but be aware of the US/UK divide.
Used primarily in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At home
- Turn the tap anticlockwise
- Unscrew the lid anticlockwise
- Loosen the bolt anticlockwise
Giving directions
- Go anticlockwise around the roundabout
- Follow the anticlockwise route
- Turn anticlockwise at the corner
Technical tasks
- The gear rotates anticlockwise
- Adjust the setting anticlockwise
- Check the anticlockwise motion
Sports
- Run the track anticlockwise
- The ball spins anticlockwise
- Move in an anticlockwise formation
Conversation Starters
"Do you prefer the term anticlockwise or counterclockwise?"
"Can you think of something that turns anticlockwise?"
"Have you ever heard the word widdershins?"
"Is it hard to remember which way is anticlockwise?"
"Do you use this word often in your daily life?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to follow instructions using the word anticlockwise.
Why do you think different regions use different words for the same direction?
Write a short story about a clock that runs backward.
Explain how to open a jar to a child using the word anticlockwise.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenYes, it is typically written as one word.
Counterclockwise.
Essentially, yes.
Mostly for rotational movement.
It is neutral and standard.
To describe direction clearly.
Not if you break it into parts.
Yes, it is very common in instructions.
Teste dich selbst
To open the jar, turn the lid ___.
Anticlockwise is the standard direction for opening.
Which direction is anticlockwise?
Anticlockwise moves to the left.
Anticlockwise is the same as clockwise.
They are opposites.
Word
Bedeutung
Match the direction to the term.
Turn the knob anticlockwise.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
Anticlockwise is the British term for moving in the opposite direction of a clock's hands.
- Means moving opposite to clock hands.
- Standard in British English.
- Opposite of clockwise.
- Often used for turning objects.
Memory Palace
Visualize a clock on your wall and see it spinning backward.
When to use
Use it when giving directions in the UK.
Regional check
If in the US, use 'counterclockwise' instead.
Adverb usage
It usually follows the verb, e.g., 'turn anticlockwise'.
Beispiel
To open the child-proof cap, you must press down and turn it anticlockwise.
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