L’heure (en. The time)

/l.œʁ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
noun
Unit of time equivalent to 60 minutes.
It is two o'clock in the afternoon.
Il est deux heures de l'après-midi.
Present moment in time.
What time is it?
Quelle heure est-il ?
Specific time of an activity.
We have an appointment at lunchtime.
Nous avons rendez-vous à l'heure du déjeuner.

Etymology

From Latin 'hora', meaning 'time, season'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

On time
On time, punctual.
À l'heure
The hour of truth
Decisive or crucial moment.
L'heure de vérité
Rush hour
Period of heavy traffic.
Heure de pointe

Related Words

minute
Unit of time equivalent to 60 seconds.
minute
second
Unit of time equivalent to 1/60th of a minute.
seconde
clock
Device that shows the time.
horloge

Slang Meanings

A familiar way to ask for the time.
He was late, he asked: 'Do you have the time?'
Il était à la bourre, il a demandé : 'T'as l'heure ?'
Used to refer to an unusual moment.
It was the hour of the wolf when he came home.
C'était l'heure du loup quand il est rentré.