hours
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun (plural):
- A long or indefinite period of time: Used to emphasize that an activity lasted for a considerable or seemingly long duration.
- A fixed period of time designated for work, business, or operation: Refers to the scheduled times during which a person works, a business is open, or an activity regularly occurs.
Examples of Usage
Indefinite period:
- We waited for hours, but the bus never came.
- She can spend hours browsing in that bookstore.
Scheduled work/operation period:
- My working hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The bank's hours are posted on the door.
Advanced Usage
- "after hours": after the normal closing or working time.
- The manager worked on the report after hours.
- "at all hours": at any time, especially very late or inconvenient times.
- Their dog barks at all hours of the night.
- "to keep regular hours": to follow a consistent daily schedule for sleeping, working, etc.
- Since the baby was born, it's hard to keep regular hours.
Variants and Related Words
- Hour (noun, singular): A period of time equal to 60 minutes; a specific point in time.
- The meeting lasted one hour.
- At that hour, the streets are empty.
- Hourly (adjective/adverb): Occurring every hour; relating to an hour.
- There is an hourly train service. (adjective)
- Employees are paid hourly. (adverb)
Synonyms
- A long time: An extended duration (for the indefinite period sense).
- Shift, schedule: A period of work (for the work period sense).
Related Phrases
- "the small hours": the early hours of the morning, after midnight.
- The party finally ended in the small hours.
- "on the hour": at exactly 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, etc.
- The news bulletin is broadcast on the hour.
- "out of hours": outside of normal business or operating times.
- For emergency repairs, please call our out-of-hours service.
Noun
- an indefinite period of time
- they talked for hours
- a period of time assigned for work
- they work long hours