counterclockwise

Against the clock

Counterclockwise describes rotation in the direction opposite to a clock's hands—leftward when viewed from above or facing the dial.

Turn the lid counterclockwise to open it.

The word functions as both adverb and adjective: a counterclockwise motion.

British English prefers anticlockwise.

rotation

widdershins

Against the sun's path

left-handOn the port side
spinRapid rotation around axis
rotateTurn about an axis

revolve · turn · twist · swirl · whirl · gyrate · pivot · spiral · orbit · wheel

reversal

backwards

Toward what's behind

retrogradeMoving in reverse direction
unwindRelease accumulated tension
reverseTurn to opposite

retract · rewind · undo · rollback · opposite · inverse · mirror · unwinding · loosening · unscrewing

geometry

circumference

Circle's outer measurement

radialEmanating from center
axisRotation reference line
concentricSharing one center

perimeter · rotation · arc · circle · diameter · radius · sector · azimuth · bearing · vector

Categories

spintopspin, backspin, sidespin, revolutions, twirl
directionnorth, south, east, west, up
directionsnorth, south, east, west, left
reversalsreverse, undo, revert, overturn, flip
spinningspin, rotate, revolve, whirl, twirl
adverbs of direction/mannerforward, backward, sideways, upward, downward

Opposites

rotational direction

counterclockwiseclockwise

Rightward circular motion

right-handed · sunwise · CW

Phrases

counterclockwise rotationMovement opposite to clock hands

Family

clock, counter, clockwise, anticlockwise, counter-clockwise, anti-clockwise

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G