p.m.
gb/pˈiˈɛm/ us/pˈiˈɛm/
A1
English
~ 9000
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A1
relation
1
Time label: after noon, before midnight
Used after a number to say the time is in the afternoon or evening, not in the morning.
Usage pattern:
at [number] p.m.
Common mistake:
Learners often mix up a.m. and p.m., for example writing *7 p.m.* when they mean seven in the morning. Another common mistake is writing it without periods or space in very formal writing (e.g. *7pm* instead of *7 p.m.*), although modern informal usage often accepts *pm* or *PM*. Some learners incorrectly use p.m. with 24‑hour times like *18:00 p.m.*, which is wrong; p.m. is only for 12‑hour times (e.g. *6 p.m.*).
Synonyms
in the afternoon (Refers more specifically to the period after midday but not usually late evening; less exact than a specific clock time.)
Antonyms
a.m. (Marks times from midnight to before noon, the opposite half of the 12‑hour clock.)
Collocations
at 3 p.m.
|by 5 p.m.
|around 8 p.m.
|until 10 p.m.
|6 p.m. sharp
Themes
time
|daily life
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The meeting starts at 2 p.m., so please be on time.
- My flight leaves at 9 p.m. tonight.
- The store is open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
- Let’s call them after 6 p.m., when they finish work.
Learner examples
- I finish work at 5 p.m.
- The movie is at 7 p.m.
- Dinner is usually at 8 p.m. in my family.
- The train arrives at 3:30 p.m.
adjective
A2
relation
2
Scheduled in afternoon or evening
Used with a time before a noun to say that an event is in the afternoon or evening.
Usage pattern:
[a/the] [number] p.m. [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes put p.m. in the wrong place, writing *p.m. 3 meeting* instead of *3 p.m. meeting*. Another mistake is to leave out the number and say *the p.m. meeting* when a specific time is needed, especially in written schedules.
Synonyms
afternoon (Can describe events in the later part of the day, but is less exact than giving a specific clock time like “3 p.m. meeting”.)
Antonyms
morning (Describes events before midday, contrasting with those scheduled after midday.)
Collocations
3 p.m. meeting
|7 p.m. class
|9 p.m. show
|5 p.m. flight
Themes
time
|daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I booked the 4 p.m. flight instead of the early one.
- We have a 1 p.m. appointment with the dentist.
- The 7 p.m. show is usually the most crowded.
- I can only join the 6 p.m. class because I work during the day.
Learner examples
- She is in the 3 p.m. English class.
- We chose the 5 p.m. train to avoid traffic.
- I will take the 9 p.m. bus home.
- They moved the 2 p.m. meeting to tomorrow.
Grammar
Dictionary form
p.m.
IPA
GB/pˈiˈɛm/
US/pˈiˈɛm/
Syllables & stress
p.m. (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (p.m.)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: p.m.
- Comparative: p.m.er
- Superlative: p.m.est
Word family
Forms
p.m.er
adjective
p.m.est
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
a.m.
adverb A1
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.