hour
hour
Pronunciation
/aʊər/ - The entire word is a single syllable.
/aʊ/ as in "ouch"
/ər/ as in the "er" sound in "butter"
Word Form Variations
Singular: hour
Plural: hours
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A unit of time equal to sixty minutes, forming one twenty-fourth of a day, commonly used to measure duration or specific points in a day.
Synonyms: sixty minutes, sixty-minute period, sixty-minute interval
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a unit of time)
Definition 2: A particular point in time, often referring to a significant or appointed moment.
Synonyms: moment, time, occasion, juncture, point
Antonyms: eternity (in the sense of a non-specific, endless period)
Definition 3: A customary or fixed time for a particular activity or event.
Synonyms: appointed time, scheduled time, designated time, period
Antonyms: free time, unscheduled time
Examples of Use
Books:
"The old man sat by the window for an hour each evening, watching the last rays of the sun disappear behind the Ngong Hills." (Fictional novel)
"Chapter three delved into the critical hour when the treaty was finally signed, marking a turning point in the nation's history." (Non-fiction historical text)
Newspapers (Kenya-specific where plausible):
"Traffic on Thika Road was severely disrupted for an hour this morning following a minor accident near Ruiru." (The Standard)
"The National Assembly session, which began at 10 AM, is expected to continue for another two hours as members debate the new finance bill." (Daily Nation)
Online Publications (Kenya-specific where plausible):
"Why are Kenyan power outages often unpredictable? We look at how an hour without electricity can disrupt small businesses in Nairobi." (Kenyans.co.ke article)
"Our comprehensive guide on preparing for your S.A.T. exams recommends at least an hour of focused study per subject daily." (EduPulse.co.ke education blog)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film (Local Context): "The local production 'Nairobi Diaries: The Movie' runs for just under two hours, offering a candid look at urban life." (Film review on a Kenyan entertainment blog)
Radio (Kenya-specific): "Tune in next hour for our special segment on the impact of climate change on agriculture in the Rift Valley." (Radio Citizen broadcast)
Music (Lyric/Title): "Every hour spent with you feels like a dream." (Lyric from a popular Kenyan pop song by Sauti Sol, though specific song not cited for a general example)
Podcasts (Local Context): "In this week's episode of 'The Kenyan Startup Story,' we interview a founder who turned a side hustle into a thriving business in less than a year, attributing long hours to his success." (Podcast episode description)
Video Games (General): "You have exactly one hour to collect all the scattered artifacts before the ancient temple collapses!" (In-game instruction, specific game unknown for a general example)
General Public Discourse (Kenya-specific where plausible):
"I'll meet you at the bus stop in about an hour, after I finish my work." (Common spoken phrase in daily conversation)
"The doctor said I need to rest for at least an hour after taking the medication." (Common health advice)
"Rush hour in Nairobi is a nightmare; it can take two hours to cover just a few kilometers." (Common lament about traffic)
"The shop opens at 8 o'clock sharp, but during the hour before, there's always a queue forming." (Common observation about local businesses)
10 Famous Quotes Using Hour
"There is no hour of life that is not an hour of God." (Victor Hugo, Les Misérables)
"The darkest hour is just before the dawn." (Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia)
"Lost time is never found again." (Benjamin Franklin, referencing the value of every hour)
"Carpe Diem! Seize the day, make your lives extraordinary." (Robin Williams as John Keating, Dead Poets Society) - Metaphorical/synonymous for living each hour to the fullest.
"Every hour of lost time is a chance of future misfortune." (Napoleon Bonaparte)
"This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England... this happy breed of men, this little world, this precious stone set in the silver sea..." (William Shakespeare, Richard II) - While "hour" isn't explicitly used, the soliloquy emphasizes the passing of time and the significance of a nation's defining hours.
"An hour in the day, a week in the month, a month in the year, a year in the life – but life is a moment." (Khalil Gibran, The Prophet)
"My own true love, my own true love, you are the one for me. For every hour I spend with you, a better man I'll be." (Frank Sinatra, Come Fly with Me)
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." (Peter Drucker) - Metaphorical/synonymous for using the present hour effectively.
"If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made up of." (Bruce Lee) - Emphasizes the value of every hour that constitutes life.
Etymology
It comes from the Latin word "hora," which meant "an hour" but also "a season" or "a time of day." This Latin word, in turn, borrowed from the Ancient Greek word "hōra" (ὥρα), which had a similar meaning: "a period of time," "season," or "the proper time."
So, you can see that even way back, the core idea was about a specific division or period of time.
When "hour" first appeared in Old French as "hore," and then later in Middle English (around the 13th century) as "houre" or "oure," it generally referred to the 24th part of a natural day. This is pretty much the meaning we use today – sixty minutes.
Interestingly, early on, "hour" could also refer to a specific time of day (like "the ninth hour"), or even a season (carrying over from its Greek and Latin roots).
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hour
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "hour":
Rush hour: The busiest time of day for traffic, usually morning and evening commutes.
The eleventh hour: The last possible moment.
After hours: After the regular working or business hours.
Small hours/wee hours: The early hours of the morning, just after midnight.
The witching hour: Midnight, or a time when strange things are thought to happen.
Golden hour: The period shortly after sunrise or before sunset, noted for its warm, soft light. (Common in photography)
An hour of need: A time when help or support is most required.
Hour by hour: Continuously; as each hour passes.
To kill an hour: To pass time, often idly, while waiting for something.
In one's finest hour: At a time of greatest success, triumph, or importance.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hour from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
