tell time
Interpret clock faces
To tell time is to read a clock or watch and know what hour it is.
The phrase usually appears in discussions of children learning this skill: She learned to tell time in first grade.
Adults tell time constantly but rarely describe it that way—the phrase implies the act requires some effort or instruction.
Device displaying time
- watchPortable timekeeping device
- wristwatchPortable timekeeping accessory
- sundialShadow-based timekeeper
- hourglassGravity-powered sand timer
grandfather clock · cuckoo clock · analog · digital · hands · dial · face · numerals
Sixty-minute span
- minuteSixtieth of an hour
- secondUnit smaller than minute
- noonDay's exact middle
- midnightTwelve o'clock at night
dawn · dusk · morning · afternoon · evening · night · o'clock · sharp
Scheduled time for something
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- punctualityBeing on time
- lateNot on time
- earlyOccurring before expected
prompt · meeting · arrive · departure · timetable · calendar · planner · routine
Gaining knowledge gradually
- teachingProfession of instructing others
- childrenYoung human beings
- readingInterpreting written text
- hour handStubby timepiece indicator
minute hand · clockwise · half past · quarter to · o'clock · big hand · practice · lesson
Interval timing device
- atomic clockQuantum-vibration timekeeping device
- water clockLiquid-flow timekeeping device
- smartphoneHandheld connected computer
- fitness trackerWearable health-monitoring device
microwave · oven · bedside · alarm · countdown · display · screen · beep
clock
Device displaying time
- watchPortable timekeeping device
- wristwatchPortable timekeeping accessory
- sundialShadow-based timekeeper
hourglass · grandfather clock · cuckoo clock · analog · digital · hands · dial · face · numerals · tick
hour
Sixty-minute span
midnight · dawn · dusk · morning · afternoon · evening · night · o'clock · sharp · exactly
appointment
Scheduled time for something
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- punctualityBeing on time
- lateNot on time
early · prompt · meeting · arrive · departure · timetable · calendar · planner · routine · planning
learning
Gaining knowledge gradually
hour hand · minute hand · clockwise · half past · quarter to · o'clock · big hand · practice · lesson · numbers
stopwatch
Interval timing device
- atomic clockQuantum-vibration timekeeping device
- water clockLiquid-flow timekeeping device
- smartphoneHandheld connected computer
fitness tracker · microwave · oven · bedside · alarm · countdown · display · screen · beep · notification