grandfather's clock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, traditional, nostalgic
Quick answer
What does “grandfather's clock” mean?
A tall, freestanding pendulum clock with weights and a long case, traditionally kept in a hallway.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tall, freestanding pendulum clock with weights and a long case, traditionally kept in a hallway.
Any tall, old-fashioned floor clock, often seen as a symbol of tradition, family continuity, or the passage of time. The name originates from the 1876 song 'My Grandfather's Clock' by Henry Clay Work, which popularized the term for these previously called 'longcase' or 'floor' clocks.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally common in both varieties. Historically, 'longcase clock' is the more traditional British horological term, while 'grandfather's clock' is the popular term derived from the song.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes tradition, age, family history, and a certain stateliness. It can imply something large, imposing, and slightly old-fashioned.
Frequency
'Grandfather's clock' is the dominant term in everyday language in both the UK and US. 'Longcase clock' is used by antique dealers, collectors, and horologists.
Grammar
How to Use “grandfather's clock” in a Sentence
The [adjective] grandfather's clock [verb] in the [location].We inherited a grandfather's clock from our [family member].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grandfather's clock” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The grandfather's clock in the manor's entrance hall had kept perfect time for two centuries.
- At the car boot sale, she found a magnificent mahogany grandfather's clock.
American English
- The only sound in the quiet library was the steady tock of the grandfather's clock.
- They decided the antique grandfather's clock was too large for their modern apartment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in antique sales or high-end furniture retail.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or design studies discussing domestic objects and timekeeping history.
Everyday
Used to describe a specific type of large, traditional clock found in homes, hotels, or public buildings.
Technical
Horology (clock-making): 'longcase clock' is preferred; specifications include weight-driven, pendulum-regulated, hood, trunk, and plinth.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grandfather's clock”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grandfather's clock”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grandfather's clock”
- Misspelling as 'grandfather clock' (without the possessive 's'). While common, the traditional and song-based form includes the possessive. Confusing it with a 'grandmother clock', which is a slightly smaller version.
- Using it to refer to any large clock.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are used, but 'grandfather's clock' is the original form from the song that popularized the term. Purists and traditional texts often use the possessive form.
A grandmother clock is a smaller, slimmer version of a grandfather clock, typically between 5 and 6.5 feet tall, while a grandfather clock is usually over 6.5 feet.
The name comes from the 1876 song 'My Grandfather's Clock' by Henry Clay Work, which tells the story of a clock that worked perfectly for the grandfather's lifetime but stopped upon his death.
Yes, traditional mechanical grandfather clocks are weight-driven and need to be wound regularly, usually once a week or once every eight days, by pulling chains or cables.
A tall, freestanding pendulum clock with weights and a long case, traditionally kept in a hallway.
Grandfather's clock is usually formal, traditional, nostalgic in register.
Grandfather's clock: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡrænfɑːðəz ˈklɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡrænˌfæðɚz ˈklɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly from 'grandfather's clock'. Related: 'like clockwork', 'against the clock', 'turn back the clock']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine your GRANDFATHER standing tall and straight. Just like him, his CLOCK is tall, straight, and marks the steady passage of family time.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A MEASURED JOURNEY (marked by the clock's pendulum swing); TRADITION IS A SOLID, ENDURING OBJECT (like the clock's heavy case); THE PAST IS A PHYSICAL INHERITANCE (passed down like the clock).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate technical synonym for 'grandfather's clock'?