clockwise

IPA/ˈklɒk.waɪz/
KK[klˈɑkwˌaɪz]IPA/ˈklɑːk.waɪz/

clockwise — adverb

1. in the same turning direction that a clock's pointers travel — from the top of t

1.adverbB1
Definition

in the same turning direction that a clock's pointers travel — from the top of the dial round to the right, down, left, and back up.

Example

Tomás turned the lid clockwise to close the jam jar tightly.

turn + object + clockwise (manual adjustment)

The dancers walked clockwise around the wedding fire at Padma's ceremony.

verb of motion + clockwise (ritual context)

Common collocations
  • turn clockwise
  • rotate clockwise
  • move clockwise
  • stir clockwise
  • walk clockwise
Synonyms
  • rightward

    describes general direction; 'clockwise' specifically references a rotational sweep, not a single sideways move

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

turn/rotate/move + clockwise

Usage Note

Most often follows a verb of turning, rotating, stirring, or moving around a centre. Direct opposite of 'counterclockwise' (US) / 'anticlockwise' (UK).

Common Mistakes

Please rotate the knob to clockwise.
Please rotate the knob clockwise.
'clockwise' is already an adverb; do not add 'to'.

clockwise — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Clockwise' is the precise word for rotational motion that traces a clock's pointer path — it implies a full sweep around a centre, not a single sideways move. 'Rightward' and 'to the right' just describe direction along a line, with no centre and no sweep: a passenger may lean rightward in a car, but a steering wheel does not turn rightward — it turns clockwise. Use 'clockwise' for screws, dials, knobs, stirring, and people walking around a circular space; reach for 'rightward' or 'to the right' only when the motion is linear. Note that 'clockwise' carries one fixed geometry; viewed from the other side of the clock face, the same motion looks counterclockwise — so the speaker's viewpoint matters.

clockwise ↗rightwardto the right

Common collocations

Nouns

  • clockwise turn
  • clockwise rotation
  • clockwise direction
  • clockwise motion
  • clockwise circle
  • clockwise arrow

Phrases

  • turn clockwise
  • rotate clockwise
  • move clockwise

Prepositions

  • clockwise from [reference point]
  • clockwise around [centre]

Etymology

Old EnglishModern English

Formed in English in the mid-1800s by joining 'clock' with the old suffix '-wise' (meaning 'in the manner or direction of'), exactly when mechanical clocks with rotating hands had become familiar household objects. The same '-wise' element appears in 'lengthwise' and 'edgewise'. Speakers needed a quick word for the direction the new pocket and wall clocks rotated, and 'clockwise' filled the gap.

First known use

1882

1882, in the meaning defined above