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How to Say Hour: Pronunciation, Definition

Master hour pronunciation, definition, origin, alternatives and usage tips with common phrases for clear everyday speech.

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How to Pronounce Hour

Pronouncing the Word "Hour"

The word hour is pronounced like the word our. In English, the letter "h" is silent in this word. Here is how you can say it:

Ignore the H: The "h" in "hour" is not pronounced.
Focus on the Vowel Sound: Start with the diphthong sound /aʊ/ as in words like "out" or "loud".
Smooth Transition: Say the entire word as one smooth syllable, so it sounds like "our".
Practice Slowly and Then Naturally: Begin by pronouncing it slowly, then increase to a normal, natural speed.

You can listen to native speakers for practice. Try repeating the sound until it feels natural. This method should help you pronounce hour perfectly.

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What Does Hour Mean

Definition of Hour

Meaning: An hour is a unit of time that equals 60 minutes.
Usage: We use hours to measure shorter parts of a day. For example, the time 3:00 means three hours have passed since midnight or midday.
Context: Hours help us organize our days. People often say things like "I work for eight hours a day" or "It took two hours to drive home."
Relation to other units: There are 24 hours in one day, and each hour is made up of 60 minutes, while each minute has 60 seconds.
Importance: Knowing about hours is essential for planning events, scheduling meetings, and understanding how long tasks take.

Definition of Hour

Meaning: An hour is a unit of time that equals 60 minutes.
Usage: We use hours to measure shorter parts of a day. For example, the time 3:00 means three hours have passed since midnight or midday.
Context: Hours help us organize our days. People often say things like "I work for eight hours a day" or "It took two hours to drive home."
Relation to other units: There are 24 hours in one day, and each hour is made up of 60 minutes, while each minute has 60 seconds.
Importance: Knowing about hours is essential for planning events, scheduling meetings, and understanding how long tasks take.

The Origin of the Word Hour

Origin of the Word "Hour"

The word hour has a long and interesting history. It comes from the Latin word hora, which means a period of time or a season. Many languages in Europe have been influenced by Latin, so this word began its journey long ago.

Latin Roots: The original Latin word hora meant a part of the day.
Old French Influence: The word passed into Old French as houre. This change in sound and spelling was common in medieval times.
Greek Connection: The Greek word hōra has a similar meaning and shows how ideas about time traveled across cultures.
Adoption in English: When English speakers adopted the word during the Middle English period, they kept the idea and essence of representing a period of time.

Today, the word hour means 60 minutes. Its history is a clear example of how languages change over time and borrow words from one another. This wonderful journey shows how culture and language are deeply connected.

Origin of the Word "Hour"

Latin Roots: The original Latin word hora meant a part of the day.
Old French Influence: The word passed into Old French as houre. This change in sound and spelling was common in medieval times.
Greek Connection: The Greek word hōra has a similar meaning and shows how ideas about time traveled across cultures.
Adoption in English: When English speakers adopted the word during the Middle English period, they kept the idea and essence of representing a period of time.

What to Say Instead Hour

Sixty Minutes

Explanation: This synonym expresses the exact measurement of an hour by stating its constituent minutes.
Usage: "The workshop is scheduled for sixty minutes to cover all topics."

Sixty Minutes

Explanation: This synonym expresses the exact measurement of an hour by stating its constituent minutes.
Usage: "The workshop is scheduled for sixty minutes to cover all topics."

Time Period

Explanation: "Time period" emphasizes a continuous span of time, which in this context is one hour.
Usage: "During that time period, many changes occurred."

Time Period

Explanation: "Time period" emphasizes a continuous span of time, which in this context is one hour.
Usage: "During that time period, many changes occurred."

Interval

Explanation: This term underscores the idea of a measurable gap, which can specifically refer to an hour when defined.
Usage: "There was an interval of one hour between the sessions."

Interval

Explanation: This term underscores the idea of a measurable gap, which can specifically refer to an hour when defined.
Usage: "There was an interval of one hour between the sessions."

Session

Explanation: "Session" is often used to describe a structured period, like a class or meeting, that typically lasts about an hour.
Usage: "The training session will run for an hour starting at 10 AM."

Session

Explanation: "Session" is often used to describe a structured period, like a class or meeting, that typically lasts about an hour.
Usage: "The training session will run for an hour starting at 10 AM."

Slot

Explanation: "Slot" is common in scheduling terminology, indicating a fixed time frame, such as an hour-long appointment.
Usage: "I booked a one-hour slot for my interview."

Slot

Explanation: "Slot" is common in scheduling terminology, indicating a fixed time frame, such as an hour-long appointment.
Usage: "I booked a one-hour slot for my interview."

Duration

Explanation: "Duration" refers to the length of time something lasts, which can be specified as one hour.
Usage: "The duration of the presentation was approximately one hour."

Duration

Explanation: "Duration" refers to the length of time something lasts, which can be specified as one hour.
Usage: "The duration of the presentation was approximately one hour."