four-o'clock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-LowNeutral, slightly informal for the time sense. For the plant, the term is neutral/specialist.
Quick answer
What does “four-o'clock” mean?
A time of day.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A time of day; specifically 4:00 PM or AM.
A flowering plant (Mirabilis jalapa) whose blossoms open in the late afternoon, typically around four o'clock. The time when the afternoon school/work day typically ends in many Western cultures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term similarly for time. The plant is known in both regions but may be less common/garden-specific in cooler UK climates.
Connotations
For time, in the UK it can strongly connote the end of the school day (4pm). In the US, it can connote the end of the standard business/office day.
Frequency
Slightly more common in US English as a specific reference to time (e.g., "Let's meet at four-o'clock"). In UK English, "four" or "4pm" is often used without "o'clock".
Grammar
How to Use “four-o'clock” in a Sentence
At [TIME: four-o'clock]It is [TIME: four-o'clock][EVENT] at [TIME: four-o'clock]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “four-o'clock” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The train is due four-o'clock.
adjective
British English
- He has a typical four-o'clock shadow.
American English
- We sat down for a four-o'clock meeting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The conference call is scheduled for four-o'clock sharp."
Academic
"The lecture hall is booked until four-o'clock."
Everyday
"I'll pick you up at four-o'clock outside the station."
Technical
"The system performs its automated backup at 0400 (four-o'clock) local time."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “four-o'clock”
- Incorrect: 'four o'clock p.m.' (redundant). Correct: 'four o'clock' or '4 p.m.'. Incorrect: 'I will see you on four-o'clock.' Correct: '...at four-o'clock.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be 4:00 AM, but context usually makes it clear. Without 'AM' specified, people generally assume PM.
Because its bright, fragrant flowers typically open in the late afternoon, around 4 PM, and close again by morning.
Both are correct. Numbers are often used in informal writing/digits, while words are used in more formal prose. The hyphenated form 'four-o'clock' is common for the plant name.
It is a light stubble beard visible on a man's face later in the day, typically by late afternoon, after a morning shave.
A time of day.
Four-o'clock is usually neutral, slightly informal for the time sense. for the plant, the term is neutral/specialist. in register.
Four-o'clock: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɔːr.əˈklɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɔr.əˈklɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Four-o'clock shadow (light stubble appearing late in the day)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The clock face shows the big hand on the 12 and the little hand on the 4. The flower is a natural clock that 'opens its eyes' at 4 PM.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A MEASURED PATH (We arrive at a point on the path).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is NOT a common meaning or use of 'four-o'clock'?