a.m./A.M./am/AM
a.m./A.M./am/AM
Pronunciation
a.m./A.M./am/AM: /eɪ.ˈem/
a: /eɪ/ (as in "day")
m: /em/ (as in "them")
Word Form Variations
The term "a.m." (and its variations) is primarily used as an adverb or an adjective, and it doesn't typically have singular or plural forms in the traditional sense, as it refers to a time period rather than a countable noun.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition: Indicating a period of time occurring between midnight and noon.
Synonyms: in the morning, before noon
Antonyms: p.m., in the afternoon, in the evening
Adjective
Definition: Relating to or occurring in the period between midnight and noon.
Synonyms: morning (e.g., "morning meeting"), pre-noon
Antonyms: p.m. (adjective use, e.g., "p.m. appointment"), afternoon, evening
Examples of Use
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The local election results are expected to be announced around 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, according to the county clerk's office." (Local News Herald)
"Traffic delays are anticipated on the highway from 6 A.M. to 9 A.M. due to ongoing construction." (Department of Transportation Press Release)
"Our daily newsletter is delivered straight to your inbox every weekday at 7 AM." (Digital Media Company Newsletter)
Books:
"She set her alarm for 5 a.m., determined to catch the sunrise over the mountains before heading to work." (From a contemporary novel)
"The detective's report stated that the crime occurred sometime between 1:00 A.M. and 3:00 A.M. on Tuesday." (From a crime fiction novel)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television/Film: "Tune in tomorrow at 9 A.M. for the season premiere of 'Morning Buzz!'" (TV commercial for a talk show)
Radio: "It's 7:30 a.m. here on WNYC, and we're starting your day with the top headlines." (Radio broadcast)
Video Games: "Your next mission begins at 0600 AM in the central plaza. Be prepared." (In-game mission brief)
Social Media: "Just finished my workout! Up and at 'em since 5 AM! #earlybird #fitness" (Instagram post)
Podcasts: "Join us every Friday at 11 a.m. Eastern for new episodes exploring historical mysteries." (Podcast advertisement)
General Public Discourse:
"I have a doctor's appointment at 9:15 a.m. tomorrow, so I'll need to leave early." (Casual conversation)
"The coffee shop opens at 6 AM on weekdays, which is perfect for my early commute." (Word-of-mouth recommendation)
"Did you see the weather forecast? They're predicting heavy rain until about 1 A.M. tonight." (Everyday discussion)
"The kids' school starts at 8:30 a.m., so we have to be out the door by 8:00 AM latest." (Parental discussion)
10 Famous Quotes Using a.m./A.M./am/AM
"The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day." (Henry Ward Beecher)
"Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." (Benjamin Franklin) – This proverb directly implies "a.m." activity.
"I love the smell of napalm in the morning." (Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore, Apocalypse Now) – "Morning" here directly refers to the "a.m." hours.
"Every morning brings new light, new hope to the soul." (Lailah Gifty Akita)
"At 6:00 A.M., the world is a different place. Quiet, peaceful, full of possibilities." (Lesser-known observation)
"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." (Marcus Aurelius) – Again, "morning" implies the "a.m." period.
"I have to be at the studio by 5 A.M. every day for hair and makeup." (Common statement attributed to actors/celebrities)
"My favorite part of the day is when the first rays of sun hit my window around 6:30 A.M." (Personal anecdote/lesser-known quote)
"The night is the mother of thoughts." (German Proverb) – This implies that thoughts conceived at night are then acted upon in the "a.m."
"The early bird catches the worm." (Common Proverb) – Directly advocating for activity in the "a.m."
Etymology
The abbreviation "a.m." comes from the Latin phrase "ante meridiem."
Let's break that down:
"Ante" is a Latin word meaning "before." You can see this same "ante" in other English words like "antecedent" (something that came before) or "antenatal" (before birth).
"Meridiem" comes from the Latin word "meridies," which means "midday" or "noon." It's related to our word "meridian," which, in geography, refers to a line of longitude that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole, crossing the equator. Imagine the sun being at its highest point in the sky as it crosses this imaginary line – that's "midday."
So, put together, "ante meridiem" literally means "before midday" or "before noon."
The first known use of "ante meridiem" in English, referring to hours, appeared around the mid-1500s. It was officially recorded by the Oxford English Dictionary as being used in 1563 by John Dee, a mathematician and astrologer. By the late 1700s (around 1776), "a.m." became pretty much synonymous with "morning."
It's a clever way that Latin helped us clearly tell apart the hours of the day before and after the sun reaches its highest point.
Phrases + Idioms Containing a.m./A.M./am/AM
"Early a.m.": Referring to the very early hours of the morning, typically just after midnight or before dawn.
"In the wee hours of the a.m.": Similar to "early a.m.," emphasizing the very early, dark part of the morning.
"First thing in the a.m.": Meaning as soon as the morning begins; immediately in the morning.
"Crack of dawn a.m.": Indicating the time right when the sun rises.
"Bright and early a.m.": Emphasizing an energetic start to the morning.
"Morning person": (Using synonym) Someone who feels awake and energetic in the morning.
"Morning rush": (Using synonym) The busy period in the morning, often related to commuting.
"Good morning!": (Using synonym) A common greeting used during the a.m. hours.
"Burning the midnight oil (into the a.m.)": Working late into the night, extending into the early morning hours.
"A.M. commute": The journey to work or school taken in the morning hours.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of a.m./A.M./am/AM from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
