What does heures in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word heures in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use heures in French.

The word heures in French means hour, o'clock, time, lesson, class, hours, at a snail's pace, at a fixed time, on time, right now, at this time, at the moment, at the time of, at mealtimes, at zero hour, at the hour of reckoning, now, these days, nowadays, that's good!, very early, very late, far too late, What time? At what time?, Later! Laters!, at any time, bide your time, changing the clocks, change, by the hour, date and time of departure, early, eleventh-hour, last-minute, from the outset, from what time to what time, from when to when, half an hour, final hour, give the right time, on time, on schedule, be on time, be right, off-peak time, off-peak period, off-peak time, rush hour, rush hour, arrival time, time of arrival, daylight saving time, standard time, opening time, hour of detention, detention, departure time, closing time, moment of glory, hour of glory, prime time, Greenwich Mean Time, time for pre-dinner drinks, Paris time, rush hour, hour of detention, detention, witching hour, local time, peak time, peak times, peak hours, overtime, late hour, man-hour, it is one o'clock, it is one o'clock, until far too late at night, kilometre per hour, kilometre an hour, kilowatt-hour, kWh, the situation is serious, the situation is critical, zero hour, put right, set the record straight, set things straight, switch to summer time, putting the clocks back, ending British summer time, put the clocks forward, put the clocks back, go through hell, paid per hour, paid by the hour, for the moment, fifteen minutes, ladies' choice, What is the time?, What time is it?, put the clocks back, set the record straight, come home at all hours, drive at a snail's pace, at once, straight away, Your time has come, Your time has come, in a while, just now, directly, three-quarters of an hour, live life in the fast lane. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word heures

hour

nom féminin (60 minutes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il y a 24 heures dans une journée. Il me faut environ 3 heures pour finir ce travail.
There are twenty-four hours in a day. It will take me about three hours to finish this work.

o'clock

nom féminin (détermination du temps) (exact hour)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Excusez-moi, vous auriez l'heure, s'il vous plaît ? // Quelle heure est-il ? Il est 10 heures. // L'avion part à 1 heure et arrive à 3 h 10.
The flight leaves at one and gets in at ten past three. // It's ten.

time

nom féminin (moment)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
C'est l'heure de manger, à table !
It's time to eat. Sit up!

lesson, class

nom féminin (Scolaire : cours)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
En deuxième heure, on a histoire-géo.
We've got history and geography for our second class.

hours

nom féminin pluriel (figuré (temps assez long) (indeterminate period)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Que faisais-tu ? Ça fait des heures que je t'attends !
What have you been doing? I've been waiting for you for hours!

at a snail's pace

locution adverbiale (familier (très lentement) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

at a fixed time

locution adverbiale (toujours à la même heure)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ce traitement doit être pris à heure fixe, choisissez les heures qui vous conviennent le mieux.

on time

locution adverbiale (à l'heure donnée)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
En partant tôt et en évitant les bouchons, j'ai réussi à arriver à l'heure à mon rendez-vous. C'est incroyable mais mon train est arrivé et parti à l'heure !
By leaving early and avoiding the traffic I managed to arrive at my meeting on time. Incredibly, my train arrived and left on time!

right now, at this time, at the moment

locution adverbiale (en ce moment)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
À l'heure actuelle, le ministre des Affaires étrangères doit survoler l'Atlantique. Nous n'avons pas plus d'informations à l'heure actuelle.
We do not currently have any more information.

at the time of

(au moment de, à l'époque de)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

at mealtimes

locution adverbiale (au moment de manger)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Prenez vos médicaments à l'heure des repas.

at zero hour, at the hour of reckoning

locution adverbiale (au moment prévu)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
L'opération fut lancée à l'heure H.

now

locution adverbiale (maintenant)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

these days, nowadays

locution adverbiale (de nos jours)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

that's good!

interjection (bonne nouvelle !, tant mieux !)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Nous avons fait plus de bénéfices que prévus, à la bonne heure !

very early

locution adverbiale (très tôt)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Nous partirons demain à la première heure.

very late, far too late

locution adverbiale (familier (très tard)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

What time? At what time?

locution adverbiale (à quel moment)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
À quelle heure est le cours de yoga ?
What time is the yoga class?

Later! Laters!

locution adverbiale (à plus tard) (very informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Je pars manger. À tout à l'heure !
I am going to eat. Laters!

at any time

locution adverbiale (à tout moment)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

bide your time

locution verbale (patienter jusqu'au moment opportun)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

changing the clocks

nom masculin (ajustement de l'heure officielle)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le changement d'heure a pour but de faire faire des économies d'énergies. Attention, n'oubliez pas le changement d'heure.
Don't forget to put the clocks back!

change

locution verbale (passer à l'heure d'été ou d'hiver) (clocks)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
On change d'heure ce week-end ou le week-end prochain ?
Do the clocks change this weekend or next weekend?

by the hour

locution adverbiale (heure après heure)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Le niveau de l'eau monte d'heure en heure.

date and time of departure

(moment du départ)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

early

locution adverbiale (tôt)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Nous sommes partis de bonne heure pour éviter les embouteillages aux abords de Paris.
We left early to avoid the traffic jams on the outskirts of Paris.

eleventh-hour, last-minute

locution adjectivale (au ralliement tardif)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Les soutiens de la dernière heure sont rarement fiables.

from the outset

locution adjectivale (du début)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Pierre a été un partisan de la première heure de cet homme politique.

from what time to what time, from when to when

(pendant quelle période)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

half an hour

nom féminin (30 minutes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Je serai là dans une demi-heure.

final hour

nom féminin (moment précédant la mort)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Sentant sa dernière heure arriver, il a confessé tous ses crimes.

give the right time

locution verbale (montre, horloge : être bien à l'heure)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

on time, on schedule

locution adverbiale (au moment prévu)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

be on time

locution verbale (arriver à l'heure donnée)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
C'est bizarre que Thierry ne soit pas encore là : d'habitude, il est toujours à l'heure. Mon frère n'est jamais à l'heure, c'est fatigant.
It is strange that Terry is not here yet; he is usually on time. My brother is never on time; it's annoying.

be right

locution verbale (donner l'heure juste) (clock)

Voilà, j'ai réparé l'horloge, maintenant, elle est à l'heure.
There you are; I've repaired the clock. It is now right.

off-peak time

nom féminin (heure de faible fréquentation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

off-peak period, off-peak time

nom féminin (tarif horaire minoré)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

rush hour

nom féminin (heure de pointe) (traffic)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

rush hour

nom féminin (moment où il y a le plus de monde) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

arrival time, time of arrival

nom féminin (moment d'arrivée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

daylight saving time

nom féminin (heure légale)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'heure d'été est censée permettre des économies d'électricité.

standard time

nom féminin (heure légale)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'heure d'hiver est plus proche de l’heure solaire.

opening time

nom féminin (moment d'ouverture)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il y a déjà foule à l'heure d'ouverture.

hour of detention, detention

nom féminin (Scolaire, familier (retenue scolaire) (education: punishment)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. Marion will be supervising detention after school today.

departure time

nom féminin (moment du départ)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

closing time

nom féminin (moment de fermeture)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

moment of glory, hour of glory

nom féminin (succès passager)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

prime time

nom féminin (tranche horaire où l'audience est forte)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Greenwich Mean Time

nom féminin (heure GMT)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

time for pre-dinner drinks

nom féminin (moment où l'on prend l'apéritif)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Paris time

(heure retenue à Paris)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

rush hour

nom féminin (période d'affluence)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Entre 16 heures et 18 heures, c'est l'heure de pointe en ville.

hour of detention, detention

nom féminin (Scolaire (sanction) (education: punishment)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. Marion wil be supervising detention after school today.

witching hour

locution verbale (argot (minuit)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

local time

nom féminin (heure adoptée dans un pays)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

peak time

nom féminin (heure à tarif plein) (most expensive)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

peak times, peak hours

nom féminin (heure de grande affluence) (busiest)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

overtime

nom féminin (travail au-delà de la durée légale) (uncountable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ces ouvriers font des heures supplémentaires.

late hour

nom féminin (très tard)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

man-hour

nom féminin (unité de mesure)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il faut 15 heures-personnes pour réaliser cette tâche.
It took 15 man-hours to complete the job.

it is one o'clock

(il est une heure de l'après-midi)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il est 1 heure, retournons travailler.

it is one o'clock

(il est une heure du matin)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il est 1 heure, rendors-toi.

until far too late at night

locution adverbiale (familier (à une heure indue)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

kilometre per hour, kilometre an hour

nom masculin (vitesse) (UK, usually plural)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La vitesse est limitée à 130 kilomètres par heure sur l'autoroute en France.

kilowatt-hour

nom masculin (unité de mesure d'énergie)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce vieux réfrigérateur consomme trop de kilowattheures.

kWh

abréviation (unité d'énergie : kilowattheure) (abbreviation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

the situation is serious, the situation is critical

(moment d'une grande importance)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

zero hour

nom féminin (l'heure prévue)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

put right

locution verbale (régler l'horloge)

set the record straight, set things straight

locution verbale (figuré (corriger des idées fausses)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

switch to summer time

nom masculin (changement d'heure estival)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le passage à l'heure d'été a lieu le dernier week-end de mars.

putting the clocks back, ending British summer time

nom masculin (changement d'heure hivernal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le passage à l'heure d'hiver se fait le dernier week-end d'octobre.

put the clocks forward

locution verbale (avancer d'une heure les montres)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Je suis en retard car je ne suis pas passé à l'heure d'été.

put the clocks back

locution verbale (reculer d'une heure les montres)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Nous passerons à l'heure d'hiver fin octobre.

go through hell

locution verbale (familier (éprouver [qch] de désagréable)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

paid per hour, paid by the hour

locution adjectivale (salaire horaire)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

for the moment

locution adverbiale (en ce moment, maintenant)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Nous n'avons, pour l'heure, aucune nouvelle des disparus.

fifteen minutes

nom masculin (15 minutes)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
J’ai écrit ce rapport en un quart d’heure.

ladies' choice

nom masculin (moment où les femmes invitent à danser) (dance)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Quand j'étais adolescent et que j'étais trop timide pour inviter les filles à danser, j'attendais le quart d'heure américain avec impatience.

What is the time?, What time is it?

(demande de l'heure courante)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Quelle heure est-il ? Il est 2 h 10.

put the clocks back

locution verbale (retarder d'une heure)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

set the record straight

locution verbale (figuré (mettre les choses au point)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

come home at all hours

verbe intransitif (familier (rentrer tard)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
J'en ai marre que tu sortes et que tu rentres à pas d'heure !

drive at a snail's pace

locution verbale (familier (rouler très lentement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

at once, straight away

locution adverbiale (à l'instant même)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Your time has come

interjection (tu vas mourir)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Your time has come

interjection (événement va arrivé)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

in a while

locution adverbiale (un peu plus tard)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
J'irai faire la vaisselle tout à l'heure.

just now

locution adverbiale (un peu plus tôt)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Tiens, tout à l'heure, j'ai croisé le voisin à la boulangerie.

directly

locution adverbiale (désuet (à l'instant, tout de suite) (informal)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
« La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure, nous l'allons montrer tout à l'heure. » - Jean de la Fontaine.

three-quarters of an hour

nom masculin pluriel (quarante-cinq minutes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Rappelle-moi dans trois quarts d'heure, je suis occupé en ce moment.

live life in the fast lane

locution verbale (vivre à toute allure)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of heures in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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