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Meaning & use

office hour

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈɒfɪs aʊə/
US/ˈɔːfɪs aʊɚ/

Meanings

  1. nounusually pluralAmerican

    A set time when a teacher or professional is available for students or clients to come and ask questions.

    Grammar: Usually plural: office hours; one office hour is a single session.

    Patterns

    • go to office hours
    • hold office hours

    I went to the professor's office hour to ask about my essay.

    The teacher holds an office hour every Tuesday afternoon.

    Come to my office hour if you need help with the homework.

  2. nounusually pluralBritish

    The time of day when an organization is normally open, usually from morning to late afternoon.

    Grammar: Usually plural: please call during office hours.

    Patterns

    • during office hours
    • outside office hours

    Please call during office hours.

    The shop is closed outside office hours.

    Emails sent outside office hours may wait until morning.

Word forms

pluraloffice hours

Common combinations

during office hours
Call us during office hours.
outside office hours
Messages sent outside office hours are read the next day.
hold office hours
The professor holds office hours on Wednesdays.
go to office hours
Many students go to office hours before exams.
regular office hours
Our regular office hours are nine to five.

Synonyms and how they differ

opening hours
Opening hours is the usual British phrase for when a shop or business is open.
business hours
Business hours is the common American phrase for when a company is open.
consultation hour
Consultation hour is a more formal word for time set aside for advice.
working hours
Working hours describes when employees work, not when they meet clients.

Opposites

after hours

Word family

office noun
a room or building used for work
hour noun
sixty minutes
officer noun
a person with an official position
official adjective
relating to an authority

Commonly confused: office hour or office hours vs opening hours?

office hour vs office hours vs opening hours

Opening hours is the British phrase for when a shop is open, while office hours often means time a teacher is available to students.

Practice

The professor said, 'If you are confused, come to my ___ on Thursday and I will explain.'

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